Papua New Guinea’s National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) has confirmed that it is ready to issue Papua New Guinea 5G spectrum licences to qualified mobile operators. The announcement, made on September 4 through the Department of Information and Communications Technology, covers the 2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands, both of which can support 4G and 5G services. This development follows several years of spectrum planning, market assessments, industry consultations and reviews of international practice undertaken by NICTA to establish a comprehensive licensing framework for 5G spectrum licences.
Licensing Framework and Coverage Requirements
NICTA stated that the legal, technical and regulatory groundwork required for the Papua New Guinea 5G spectrum licensing framework is now complete. The framework has been designed with rollout requirements that aim to extend the benefits of new connectivity beyond major urban centres, where 5G deployment is expected to begin first.
Since the 2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands are approved for both 4G and 5G usage, operators who receive the newly available high-demand spectrum will also be required to extend 4G coverage to 20 new sites identified under the Universal Access and Service Program. This condition is intended to ensure that mobile operators contribute to broader digital inclusion across the country while deploying next-generation 5G services.
Among the mobile operators preparing for 5G rollout, Vodafone PNG has committed to deploying 5G across the National Capital District and at least one additional city within 18 months. The company has also set targets of reaching at least 20 percent of the country’s population within 36 months and 30 percent within 60 months. These figures represent stated commitments and future rollout targets from Vodafone PNG, not coverage that has already been achieved.
Separately, Digicel PNG announced in July that it had completed end-to-end 5G readiness testing on its network, with results validating its capability to deliver 5G connectivity.
Next Steps and Broader Spectrum Reforms
The next stage is for licensed mobile operators to plan and deploy their 5G networks while NICTA oversees compliance with the conditions attached to the Papua New Guinea 5G spectrum licences. It is important to note that licences have not yet been formally issued to operators; NICTA has confirmed its readiness to proceed with issuance to those who qualify under the framework.
NICTA also indicated that the 5G licensing framework forms part of wider ongoing spectrum reforms. Future work under these reforms will include the release of additional high-demand spectrum, the development of satellite and non-terrestrial network services, and expanded opportunities for licence-exempt and Wi-Fi services. These broader reforms signal a continued effort by Papua New Guinea’s regulatory authority to modernise the country’s telecommunications infrastructure and expand digital access.
The completion of the 5G spectrum licences framework positions qualified mobile operators to begin planning their network deployments under NICTA’s regulatory oversight, marking a significant step forward for connectivity in Papua New Guinea.