The Pakistani government has revealed plans to hold a new 3G/4G auction in the near future, and is seeking to attract Turkish operators to participate as prospective new entrants.
Daily Pakistanreports that Pakistan's minister for IT and Telecom Anusha Rahman has discussed plans for a new auction with the Turkish ambassador.
At a meeting also attended by IT secretary Azmat Ali Ranjha, the participants discussed that there is overwhelming demand for new spectrum in the market.
The government also has a special allotment of 850-MHz spectrum that it is keeping for a new entrant into the mobile market.
Anusha Rahman used the meeting to express a strong desire for Turkish mobile companies to participate in the auction, noting that the reserved spectrum represents a “golden opportunity” for new entrants.
Pakistan raised $902.8 million during an auction of 3G and 4G spectrum last year. But this was well below the $5 billion that the government had predicted because despite officials' best efforts no new entrant participated in the bidding.
Licenses were instead allocated to existing operators Ufone, Mobilink, Telenor Pakistan and China Mobile's Zong.