The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has started a tender call for consultants to help with the country’s upcoming spectrum auction scheduled for 2020-2021. The move comes amid a report from Reuters saying the government hopes to raise around USD 1 billion through the sale of unused telecom spectrum and that it has started preparations for that auction. The tender for consultants will run until the end of October.
The document said the spectrum to be auctioned off is in the 1800 and 2100 MHz bands. The consultant chosen will help design the auction and advise on base pricing and details. No sale date has yet been set, sources told Reuters, which noted Pakistan is looking to raise money amid an economy hit by the coronavirus pandemic and issues with tax collections.
The Pakistan telecom market is dominated by Jazz, backed by Netherlands-based Veon; Telenor Pakistan, backed by Norway's state-controlled Telenor; Zong, owned by China Mobile and Ufone, controlled by state-owned Pakistan Telecommunication Company (PTC).
