5G Spectrum Auction Planned During Ramadan: Shaza

ISLAMABAD: (Web Desk) – Federal Minister for IT Shaza Fatima said on Monday that the auction of 5G spectrum would be held in the holy month of Ramadan, and the government would make efforts to complete the process by February-end.

Speaking to the media at the Parliament House, she said that marked improvement would be witnessed in the 3G and 4G services within three to four months of the auction, while the target had been set to launch 5G services in big cities of the country in the next six months.

Shaza said that the PTCL was currently holding consultations with the stakeholders over quality of service. “Telecom companies have been given three weeks and they are presently giving finishing touches to their preparations in connection with the auction of 5G,” the minister said, adding that following consultations, the information memorandum would be finalized in the first week of February. “After that, 5G will be completely ready for the auction.”

Also on Monday, the meeting of National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information Technology was held, with Syed Aminul Haq in the chair.

Detailed discussion was held on the proposed changes to the Pakistan Telecommunication Act.

The chairman said that some good and necessary changes to the Act were being introduced.

However, members of the committee complained that they had not been taken into confidence on the bill.

PPP’s Sharmila Farooqui said that the government had not consulted the party on the bill.

Speaking on the occasion, Shaza said that the government was in haste due to the IMF factor and SOEs.

Sharmila said that the PPP would have no objection to the legislation if the party had been taken on board. “I better read out the bill in order to save time,” she added.

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The minister said that all four provinces had issued the notification for waiving the right of way charges.

Sharmila asked whether all laws would be superseded for the right of way. “This means that no law will be invoked in case damage is caused to the environment,” PPP MNA added.

Shaza further said that 98 per cent people used broadband for their cellphones. “There is no fiberization because every owner has his own issues,” she said, adding if the same situation persisted there would be no internet in the country, let alone 5G.

“We must remove all obstacles in the way of fiberization at all costs,” she emphasized.

Sharmila said that the government should not infringe upon the constitutional rights of the people.

Disagreeing with her, Shaza said no constitutional right was being trampled upon.