The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has introduced a tough new regulatory framework for Telecom Infrastructure Provider (TIP) license holders, after finding that most companies have failed to make substantial progress in expanding Pakistan’s digital infrastructure despite holding licenses for several years.
According to a consultation paper released by the Authority, 24 TIP licenses have been issued nationwide, but only 19 firms have built any infrastructure, while five remain inactive. Of those that are operational, only 14 companies have deployed fiber networks, and just six have laid fiber stretches longer than 300 kilometers. PTA says the current results mean only a quarter of licensees are effectively contributing to national connectivity goals.
The regulator expressed concern that inadequate deployment is hindering critical public-sector objectives, including broadband expansion, improved fiber penetration, and robust infrastructure needed for technologies like 5G. PTA noted that some licensees appear to be sitting on their licenses without building networks, undermining the sector’s development.
READ MORE: AI Shopping Goes Mainstream as Young Consumers Fully Embrace It
New Mandatory Rollout Milestones
To address the issue, PTA has proposed binding rollout targets for the first six years of a TIP license. These require companies to meet at least one of the following annually:
-
Deploy 60 kilometers of fiber, or
-
Develop one Earth station or satellite hub, or
-
Install ten towers or radio links, or
-
Build a submarine cable landing station within three years
Non-compliance could result in penalties, enforcement measures, or even license cancellation. The new obligations would apply nationwide, including Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and Islamabad.
Government stakeholders have begun reviewing the proposal, with the Ministry of Interior supporting the move, while the Ministry of Law has requested more time to examine the legal language.
📡 Driving Investment and Network Modernization
PTA argues that the proposed framework is vital for Pakistan’s digital transformation. Increased fiberization, according to the Authority, would enhance connectivity, reduce regional gaps, and support the telecom sector’s shift toward high-capacity networks.
Industry experts believe the reforms could increase compliance costs, but may also accelerate investment, promote infrastructure sharing, and potentially drive consolidation among weaker operators.
The Authority has invited stakeholders to submit written feedback by 12 December 2025 at 4:30 PM, after which final rollout conditions will be finalized. If implemented, the policy would represent one of the most significant regulatory shifts in over a decade, transitioning the sector from license acquisition to enforced infrastructure development.
