Sri Lanka announces notice of assignment for 2025 5G frequency auction

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama

The notice of assignment required for the 2025 frequency auction of 5G was officially announced yesterday, at a special media briefing held at the Information and Communication Technology Agency.

The event was attended by Digital Economy Deputy Minister Eng. Eranga Weeraratne, Digital Economy Ministry Acting Secretary and Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) Chairman Waruna Sri Dhanapala, TRCSL Director General Air Vice Marshal (Rtd.) Bandula Herath, 5G Auction Committee Chairman Dr. Sulakshana Jayawardena and TRCSL Director Shantha Gunanananda.

Addressing the briefing, Weeraratne said the final assignment would lay a strong foundation for expanding the next-generation telecommunication and information communication services. He stressed that 5G would act as a key driver of Sri Lanka’s economic growth, innovation and industrial development, with direct benefits to sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture and apparel.

Herath explained that although the regulatory work on 5G began in 2017, implementation had been delayed until now. He noted that the technical studies carried out between 2020 and 2022, with the support of the World Bank, International Telecommunication Union and GSMA, helped determine the most suitable frequency range. 

He confirmed that the final assignment notice has now been issued and that the auction is expected to be completed within two months, after which the public will gain access to 5G-enabled services. Dr. Jayawardena outlined the details of the auction process, noting that a 40-day period has been allocated and all relevant information is available on www.trc.gov.lk. He assured that the process would be conducted with full transparency.

Speaking on the wider impact, Gunanananda said 5G technology would help reduce the digital divide between the urban and rural areas, expand access to quality education and create new economic opportunities. He emphasised that the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the essential role of the internet in daily life.

The TRCSL and 5G Auction Committee confirmed that the process is being implemented in accordance with the legal and technical standards. The officials expressed confidence that the 2025 frequency auction would open a new technological era for Sri Lanka, boosting both the economy and quality of life of its citizens.