Amid a tortured process which almost led to Pakistan’s 3G auction being cancelled, the spectrum sale has gone ahead, with China Mobile emerging as the country’s first 4G carrier. Four of Pakistan’s existing cellcos – Zong, Ufone, Mobilink and Telenor – gained a 3G licence while China Mobile’s local subsidiary, Zong, also purchased national spectrum in the 1.8GHz band ‘ anointed this week by the GSA as the world’s most popular for LTE. It promptly proclaimed itself “Pakistan’s first and only 4G operator”, adding: “Zong is committed to providing the fastest mobile internet and best 3G/4G network in Pakistan.’ The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) sold 3G frequencies in 2.1GHz and gave the winners the option of also buying 1.8GHz licences,…