The long-delayed Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) framework is finally being submitted to the federal cabinet for approval, following legal vetting and revisions by the Ministry of IT and Law Division.
Originally finalized by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in June 2024, the updated framework significantly lowers the MVNO license fee from $5 million to $140,000 and extends the license term to 15 years. These changes aim to attract new entrants and boost market competition.
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MVNOs lease infrastructure from existing Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and handle branding, customer support, and marketing independently. Once approved by the cabinet, the PTA will begin accepting applications and move toward issuing licenses.
This development comes as other telecom reforms, including the 5G rollout and the pending Telenor-Ufone merger, remain unresolved. Experts believe the framework’s success will depend on how swiftly remaining regulatory and procedural challenges are addressed.
