The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has confirmed that all bids in Pakistan’s 5G spectrum auction must follow fixed pricing increments, with non-compliant bids automatically rejected or corrected by the auction system.

In its responses to consultation queries, the PTA said all bid prices must be submitted in multiples of USD 1,000. The Electronic Auction System (EAS) will block bids that do not meet this requirement.

If a bid is entered in a non-compliant amount, the system will round it to the nearest valid figure.

The authority clarified that in later auction rounds, bidders will be allowed to submit increase or decrease bids at any price between the opening price and the clock price, as long as the amount is rounded to the nearest USD 1,000. However, maintain bids can only be placed at the current clock price.

PTA also stated that the auction software will suggest corrected values if bidders attempt to enter prices outside the permitted increments. This mechanism is intended to ensure uniformity and transparency throughout the bid submission and processing stages.

Spotify is expanding its platform to include physical book purchases through a new partnership with Bookshop.org. The company said users in the US and UK will be able to buy hardcover and paperback books directly through the Spotify app starting later this spring.

How the Partnership Works

Under the agreement, Bookshop.org will manage pricing, inventory, and order fulfillment. Spotify users will be able to discover books within the app and will then be directed to Bookshop.org to complete their purchases.

The partnership connects Spotify to Bookshop.org’s network of independent bookstores. Spotify said this approach supports independent sellers while providing users with a direct way to purchase printed books they discover on the platform.

Expansion of Spotify’s Book Ecosystem

Spotify launched audiobooks in 2022 and has since expanded its audiobook catalog to include hundreds of thousands of English-language titles across more than 22 global markets.

The addition of physical book purchases allows users to move from discovering a title in audio format to owning a printed version.

Bookshop.org founder and CEO Andy Hunter said the partnership could help independent bookstores reach readers by connecting them through platforms they already use.

Page Match Feature

Alongside the Bookshop partnership, Spotify recently introduced a new Page Match feature. This feature allows users to sync audiobook playback with physical books, helping readers follow along more easily.

Spotify also recently introduced offline lyrics with translation support as part of its latest platform updates.