ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet has approved the telecom infrastructure-sharing framework and green-lighted the formation of a committee to auction the spectrum for the next-generation 5G wireless network, Caretaker IT Minister Dr Umar Saif said on Wednesday.

The infrastructure-sharing framework aims to help telecom companies jointly use resources, including towers, antennas and cable ducts, optimise resource consumption and possibly cut operational costs.

The minister hoped the framework’s adoption would also open doors for new companies to enter the domestic telecom space.

As for the 5G auction, he said the new panel — to be headed by Caretaker Finance Minister Sham­shad Akhtar — would play a key role in rolling out the faster network. The committee would also include the ministers for IT, science and technology, industries and production, the secretaries of relevant ministries, and Federal Board of Revenue officials.

Dr Saif said the committee’s primary task would be to assess the spectrum’s availability across various frequency bands — including 700, 1,800, 2,100 and 2,600 megahertz (MHz) — and proceed with its auction, based on recommendations of the Pakistan Telecommunication Autho­rity.

He said the total spectrum released to the four telecom companies operating in Pakistan was inadequate to meet consumer needs.

The minister praised the IT ministry for pioneering initiatives over the past two months to amplify IT and telecom sector exports, including steps like fostering local mobile phone production, propelling freelancer growth, and reducing import reliance.

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2023