PTCL–Telenor Merger Delays 5G Auction in Pakistan

The PTCL Telenor Merger is now causing delays in Pakistan’s much-anticipated 5G spectrum auction, as regulatory decisions remain pending.

According to a report by Dawn, the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) is still waiting for key documents from PTCL before it can move forward with a final decision on the merger.

Speaking on the matter, Minister for IT & Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, said that the merger-related issues are the main reason behind the delay of the 5G spectrum auction.

“The CCP is an independent body. We have to wait for their final word. The ministry or government cannot interfere in their work,” she added.

Sources say the documents submitted by PTCL so far are incomplete or not in the proper format, which is slowing down the CCP’s review process and adding to the confusion.

Once the CCP makes a decision, the 5G Spectrum Auction Advisory Committee, led by the Finance Minister, will give its recommendations for the auction strategy.

Officials from the Ministry of IT say that the number of telecom operators after the merger will directly affect how the auction is designed. Whether the market has three or four players will determine the final format.

Currently, Pakistan has four major telecom companies:

• Jazz (37% market share)

• Zong (26%)

• Telenor Pakistan (22%)

• Ufone – a PTCL-owned company (13%)

There are also concerns because Ufone has been facing continuous financial losses, while the other players remain in profit — making the merger more complicated from a regulatory point of view.