3G, 4G spectrum license auction begins in Pakistan

The auction process for 3G and 4G spectrum licenses in Pakistan began Wednesday and is expected to revolutionise the telecom sector and raise more than $1.3 billion, the sector's regulator said. Four companies are participating in the bidding process, Dawn online reported.

The bidders have been assigned different colours which they will use instead of their company's name, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said. In the first phase, services will be available in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta.

The second phase will start a year-and-a-half later and will expand the services to another 80 cities.