ISLAMABAD ( BMZ REPORT )
Less than Two years ago, a successful next generation spectrum (3G/4G) auction was held by the government. The Industry and sector has witnessed an exponential growth in result of this auction. There was a phenomenal increase in the number of subscribers in telecom sector where the broadband density today is over 15%.In view of the positive response; Government has decided to consider auctioning the spectrum, left unsold in 2014. Therefore the Prime Minister of Pakistan has constituted an Advisory Committee for auction of the unsold spectrum which is headed by MoS IT & Telecom Mrs. Anusha Rahman while Special Assistants to PM for Law, Human Rights, Secretary Finance, Secretary Law, Chairman PTA, ED FAB and Member telecom will be the members of this committee. Member Telecom has also been appointed as “Committee Secretary”.
The inaugural meeting of this Auction Advisory Committee was held at MOIT. MoS IT& Telecom Mrs. Anusha Rahman while chairing the meeting stated that we are committed to conduct the second round of Spectrum auction in most transparent professional manner as was done in 2014.
Chairman PTA , Syed Ismail Shah apprised the committee that consultants which are hired by the PTA are working on “Market Assessment” and their complete report will be shared with the committee on its completion. This assessment is expected to be done till the end of the January 2016.
This advisory committee will examine and evaluate the “Market Assessment” report submitted by the PTA and will devise an auction strategy and methodology and will issue a policy directive for the spectrum auction.
Mrs.Anusha Rehman said that this auction would be a Golden opportunity for the telecom companies to enhance their spectrum capacity and provide high quality broadband services as per demand of the growing consumer’s base in the country.