Pakistan's 3G/4G spectrum auction on Apr 23

Pakistan's much anticipated 3G/4G auction, through which it plans to raise USD 2 billion, will take place on April 23, the government today announced.
A meeting of the Spectrum Auction Advisory Committee was held under the chairmanship of Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar at the Finance Ministry.
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Syed Ismail Shah briefed the Committee on the progress made so far on the auction of 3G/4G licences.
He informed that the new spectrum will provide increased download speed and multiple new applications will be available to the Consumers, and will also generate employment opportunities.
"The auction is scheduled on 23rd April, while the sealed bids will be submitted to PTA on 14th April 2014," a statement released by Pakistan's Finance Ministry in the evening said.

Dar emphasised that the whole process should be completed with transparency and diligently and expressed his satisfaction over the progress.

He expressed the hope that PTA will conduct competitive auction for deployment of next generation mobile network.
Later on, CEOs of cellular mobile operators also met the Spectrum Auction Advisory Committee and discussed their suggestions on the draft Information Memorandum.
The country's cash-strapped government had promised to sell 3G mobile telephone licences to raise revenue, match regional rivals and drive prosperity.
However, the process has been hit by delays since the Cabinet had to first appoint members to constitute PTA.

Even Afghanistan, with a weaker economy and more fragile state, has the technology.
According to reports, a growth in broadband penetration is expected to lead 1.3 per cent growth in gross domestic product (GDP) of Pakistan.
There is a growing demand for smartphones in Pakistan and the five telecom companies operating here see 3G has a huge market.