Key Data

Spectrum Auctions

Last Updated - April 2026

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Spectrum Auctions: Latest Key Data

Spectrum remains the essential enabler of the next phase of 5G growth, and beyond that 6G.

The current auction pipeline shows that many administrations are still shaping the long-term capacity and coverage foundations of their 5G markets, with near-term activity spanning mid-band and mmWave frequencies.

At the same time, the spread of planned auctions into 2027 and 2028 underlines that spectrum allocation is now part of a longer, more strategic cycle tied to future network evolution rather than initial market entry alone.

Spectrum Auctions

Key Industry Data – as of 20th April 2026

13 countries are planning 5G auctions for the near future and include the likes of Japan who is looking to auction 26 GHz in early 2026. Pakistan is also looking to hold an auction for 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz in the same period.
11 5G auctions have been completed in the last year across the world, for an average price of $663.4 million.

Looking to later in 2026, the Netherlands, Pakistan and Panama are expected to hold auctions for 5G licenses.

Netherlands is planning to auction 3.40-3.45 GHz and 3.75-3.80 GHz whilst Pakistan is expected to hold a second auction for the 700 MHz, 2.3 GHz, 2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands. Panama is expecting an auction to take place in September 2026, for both 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz.

Both Hong Kong SAR and the United States have plans for a 5G auction in late 2027/early 2028. Hong Kong SAR is looking to auction spectrum in the 39.5 GHz-43.5 GHz band whilst the United States is planning to auction 3.98-4.2 GHz.

Sri Lanka was the latest to hold an auction, awarding 4×50 MHz in the 3.5 GHz band and 4×100 MHz in the 27 GHz band to Dialog Axiata and SLTMobitel, for $33.3 million.

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This page covers the top-level data for this topic, explore our GAMBoD databases for further data.

The six GAMBoD databases cover devices, spectrum assignments, public & private networks, chipsets and details on mobile operators globally. The databases are updated by our focused research team, monthly or quarterly, and summary and member industry reports are published based on this data.

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