China Mobile becomes Pakistan's first 4G operator
Source: totaltele.com View: 256 Date: 2014-04-25

Pakistan on Wednesday concluded a spectrum auction that saw four of the country’s mobile operators secure 3G licences and one – China Mobile’s local unit – walk away with spectrum that will enable it to offer 4G services.

China Mobile subsidiary Zong declared itself "Pakistan’s first and only 4G operator" on its Facebook page. "Zong is committed to providing [the] fastest mobile Internet and best 3G/4G network in Pakistan," the company added.

Pakistan sold off spectrum in the 2.1-GHz band for 3G services and gave the winners of that spectrum the option to also purchase 1800-MHz spectrum for 4G services. According to local media that were present at a press conference at which the results of the auction were announced late on Wednesday, China Mobile was the only company to acquire 1800-MHz frequencies.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has published the results of the 2.1-GHz contest on its Website, but has yet to update on the conclusion of the 1800-MHz portion.

According to the PTA, four blocks of 2.1-GHz airwaves were sold to four different parties, raising a total of US$902.8 million. Two operators agreed to pay upwards of $300 million each for 10 MHz of spectrum and two paid $147.5 million each for 5-MHz blocks. The PTA had originally stated that 2.1-GHz spectrum would be sold in minimum 10 MHz blocks, but clearly changed that rule as the process progressed.

Four of Pakistan’s mobile operators – Zong, Ufone, Mobilink and Telenor – took part in the auction, while fifth player Warid Telecom declined to enter. The PTA has yet to publish exactly who won what.
Presuming that Zong paid the reserve price of $210 million for its 1800-MHz spectrum, the state probably raised $1.1 billion from the auction.

Being some way behind most of the rest of the world in obtaining 3G licences, the winning bidders are doubtless keen to launch 3G services as soon as possible.

"We are immensely pleased to announce Ufone has won the auction for 3G," the telco said in a statement on its Website. "We will very shortly be launching 3G services to enable an even better telecommunication experience."

 

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