The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority has laid out the terms of the renewal of the mobile licenses of mobile operators Jazz, Telenor Pakistan and China Mobile Pakistan.
Under the terms set by the government, a renewal price for the spectrum included in the licenses will be set at $39.5 million per MHz for 900-MHz spectrum and $29.5 million per MHz for 1800-MHz spectrum. This is based on benchmarks set during spectrum auctions in 2016 and 2017.
Operators will be able to choose to pay 100% of the renewal fees upfront, or 50% upfront with the remainder in five annual installments. The upfront payment will be due on June 25.
The renewed licenses will have a tenure of 15 years and will have technology-neutral terms as well as provisions for spectrum sharing or trading. Operators will need to comply with certain terms and conditions related to coverage, quality of service and other matters.
China Mobile Pakistan will be provided with options to replace its 900-MHz spectrum that is subject to cross-border interference, the PTA said. If these options are not accepted, the allocation shall be dealt with without any compensation in the form of additional frequency assignments