Official sources revealed to Business Recorder that objectives of this consultancy are to calculate base price and design a transparent and competitive auction process for NGMS in AJK and GB. The PTA shall follow the applicable Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules and regulations made thereunder for procurement of this consultancy. The consultant would have consultation with the existing operators of Pakistan, AJK and GB to assess the telecom market of AJK and GB.
Furthermore, the calculated base price of spectrum to be auctioned in AJK and GB by carrying out a comprehensive assessment of AJK and GB telecom market in terms of uptake, profitability, competitiveness and consumer choice, international best practices, using appropriate tools such as econometric/analytical models and market analysis for the spectrum as detailed in the Policy Directive.
The following frequency blocks for provision of NGMS spectrum auction in AJ&K/GB are suggested: three blocks of 10 MHz each in 2100 MHz (i) 1920-1930/2110-2120 MHz (Block A); (ii) 1930-1940/2120-2130 MHz (Block B); (iii.) 1940-1950/2130-2140 MHz (Block C).
One block of 10MHz in 1800 MHz band (i) 1775-1785/1870-1880 MHz. One block of 10MHz in 2100 MHz band 1950-1960/2140-2150 MHz earmarked for SCO; (ii) one block of l0MHz in 1800 MHz band 1759.1-1769.1/1854.1- 1864.1 MHz (only those operators who participate in the auction of 2100 MHz band can bid for 10MHz in 1800 MHz band).
The consultant would be required to design an open, competitive and transparent auction process mitigating chances of collusion among bidders and fulfilling policy objective of optimal outcome, keeping in view the international best practices as suited to AJK and GB markets.
Sources said that the consultant would be required to: make presentations/briefings to the client and Auction Supervisory Committee (ASC) for information as and when required by the client; conduct technical, commercial and legal due diligence related to the proposed assignment including review of the documents, processes and all other matters ancillary thereto; and develop a comprehensive report with a concise executive summary covering all important aspects that acts as an input for base price and design of auction process for NGMS in AJK and GB.
The AJ&K and GB Councils have approved policy directives for next generation mobile services (NGMS) 3G/4G in AJ&K and GB. After the approval of AJ&K/GB Councils, the policy directive was issued to PTA for the NGMS spectrum auction.
The auction shall accordingly be conducted by PTA in the minimum possible time after the issuance of this directive, so maintains the policy directives. Transparent and competitive auction will be conducted for spectrum allocation for deployment of next generation mobile networks. The allocation will be technology neutral and usable for technologies standardized for 3G and advanced generation(s) of mobile services.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2017