Telenor Merger Delays 5G Spectrum Auction

Pakistan’s anticipated 5G spectrum auction, initially planned for June 2025, faces a delay of at least four months due to unresolved issues surrounding the proposed merger between Telenor Pakistan and Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd (PTCL). The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) is still reviewing the merger, awaiting critical documentation from PTCL, which has stalled the auction process.

The delay, confirmed by Federal IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, stems from uncertainties about the number of telecom operators post-merger, which will shape the auction’s structure. Currently, Pakistan has four major operators: Jazz (37% market share), Zong (26%), Telenor (22%), and PTCL’s Ufone (13%). A consolidated market with three operators would require a different auction strategy. The IT Ministry has urged the Finance Minister, who chairs the 5G Spectrum Auction Advisory Committee, to convene a meeting to review a consultant’s report and finalize the auction timeline.

Posts on X reflect frustration over the delay, with some users noting that Pakistan risks falling behind regional peers like India and Bangladesh in 5G deployment. Others highlight Telenor’s reported 12.5% revenue growth in Q1 2025, suggesting the merger delay is impacting its customer base, though these claims remain unverified. The government remains committed to advancing Pakistan’s digital infrastructure, but regulatory hurdles and ongoing litigation continue to slow progress.

Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 3rd, 2025

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