The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) is set to auction 3G spectrum in the next three to four months, according to reports originating from the country. Speaking at a conference, Muhammad Yaseen, Chairman of the PTA, played-down reports that the country’s operators are not pushing for the rollout of 3G services, stating that there are “certain operators” supporting the regulator in its plans. The Pakistan government has previously pointed to the success of India’s 3G auctions as evidence of the “bullish mood of investors” in the region’s telecoms industry.

Value-added services will also need to be created rapidly, to appeal to subscribers in Pakistan and “promote business at a local level,” Yaseen said. Operator Zong – owned by China Mobile – is apparently offering developers a 60/40 revenue share to provide 3G content, while Mobilink is more generous with a 70/30 split. While the PTA will offer the existing operators 3G spectrum, they will not be obliged to launch services, and it said that while “it is the right time for industry to go for 3G, it could not be done hastily.” It was also suggested that the licences will be technology-neutral, enabling operators to select the network technology of their choice.