Taking a cue from the spectrum scam in India, Pakistan has decided to auction third generation spectrum (3G) licences, a media report said on Wednesday.
Pakistan may invite international telecom firms and national operators to take part in the auction, expected to yield Rs.60 billion in the current fiscal, the Daily Times reported.
Finance minister Hafeez Shaikh held a meeting on the auction. The cabinet would be asked to approve the modalities.
The meeting was told that Mobilink, Ufone, Telenor, Warid and Zong are five potential firms for taking part in the bidding for 3G licences. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority would oversee the auction.
A corruption scandal over second generation spectrum allocation in India has sent its former communication minister to jail along with officials and company executives.