Zong wins cellular spectrum auction for NGMS in AJ&K and GB

NGMS will provide better internet/voice in the top two tourist destinations in Pakistan. [Picture by Zong]

ISLAMABAD, Sept. 29 (Gwadar pro)-China Mobile Communication Corporation's CMPak (Zong) wins in the first-ever cellular spectrum auction for Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K) and Gilgit Baltistan (GB). During the electronic auction, Zong, one of the best cellular networks in Pakistan, won 10 MHz (2 blocks of 5 MHz) in the 1800 MHz band against the price of USD 14.398 million.

Two operators, CMPak (Zong) and PMCL (Jazz) participated in the auction held at Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)'s headquarters in Islamabad. The auction went up to 18 rounds before Zong was announced the winner. The spectrum sold in the 1800 MHz band is 85% of the total offered spectrum in the said band for AJ&K and GB. Furthermore, Telenor, Ufone, and Zong have also won 1.2 MHz in the 1800 MHz band.

The addition of this spectrum will help Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs) provide better data and voice services in the two regions currently focusing on promoting tourism.

Also during the electronic auction, Telenor Pakistan was declared winner in the 2100 MHz band for a spectrum of 15 MHz against the set base price, according to PTA, which added that the spectrum sold in the 2100 MHz band is 50% of the total offered spectrum in the said band.

 “The total revenue generated from this spectrum auction process for AJK & GB stands at over USD 30 million,” PTA said in a statement.

PTA completed the auction process with the assistance of internationally reputed consultant JV Telconet/Frontier Economics, who was on board since April 2021 and conducted thorough consultation with the cellular industry and other stakeholders.

CMPak is a 100% owned subsidiary of China Mobile Communications Corporation that came to Pakistan in 2007. Being the youngest of all the four national Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs) in Pakistan, Zong has shown exponential growth to attract a large number of users within a short period. Currently, CMPak engages in the provision of cellular mobile voice and data services to the Pakistani market through 2G, 3G, and 4G technologies.