Sri Lanka completes first ever 5G spectrum auction and awards key mid band and mmWave frequencies

event 20.01.2026 person Admin

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka completes first-ever 5G spectrum auction and awards key mid-band and mmWave frequencies

Sri Lanka has officially entered a new phase of mobile broadband development following the successful completion of its first national spectrum auction. The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) finalized the allocation of priority frequency resources for IMT-2020 (5G) services, establishing the foundation for commercial nationwide 5G rollout.

The historic auction outcome delivers dedicated mid-band and millimeter-wave spectrum to the country’s leading mobile operators, enabling the deployment of high-capacity, low-latency next-generation networks.

Mid-Band 3500 MHz Spectrum Allocation

The strategically important 3.5 GHz band — globally recognized as the primary capacity layer for 5G — has been divided equally between Sri Lanka’s two largest operators.

Operator	Frequency Range	Bandwidth	Band Type	Technology
Dialog Axiata PLC	3400 – 3500 MHz	100 MHz	TDD Mid-Band	5G (IMT-2020)
Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel	3500 – 3600 MHz	100 MHz	TDD Mid-Band	5G (IMT-2020)

This balanced distribution ensures both operators gain access to contiguous spectrum blocks, allowing efficient deployment of wide-band 5G carriers capable of delivering enhanced mobile broadband services across urban and suburban markets.

27 GHz mmWave Spectrum Allocation for Ultra-Capacity Use Cases

In addition to mid-band spectrum, TRCSL assigned millimeter-wave frequencies to support ultra-high capacity 5G deployments in dense locations and enterprise environments.

Operator	Frequency Range	Bandwidth	Band Type	Deployment Use Case
Dialog Axiata PLC	27200 – 27400 MHz	200 MHz	mmWave	Hotspots, enterprise networks, high-capacity urban zones

The allocation of mmWave spectrum enables the introduction of localized ultra-fast wireless connectivity, supporting applications such as fixed wireless access, industrial connectivity, smart campuses, and high-density public venues.

Strategic Impact on Sri Lanka’s Digital Infrastructure

The completion of this auction marks a turning point in Sri Lanka’s telecommunications policy by transitioning to a market-driven spectrum assignment model. With dedicated 5G spectrum now secured, operators can accelerate network investment, expand coverage, and introduce advanced services including cloud gaming, immersive media, private enterprise networks, and low-latency industrial applications.

By combining mid-band capacity with millimeter-wave throughput, Sri Lanka’s 5G ecosystem gains the technical foundation required to support future digital economy growth and national connectivity initiatives.

All allocation details are available in our Spectrum-Tracker database: https://www.spectrum-tracker.com/Sri-Lanka