The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has directed all mobile network operators to fix coverage gaps across Rawalpindi and Islamabad by October, warning that firms failing to improve service quality could face penalties.
The regulator flagged poor signal and patchy coverage in several residential sectors, along with weak reception on major routes including the Kashmir Highway and the Islamabad Expressway.
Operators have been told to install new mobile sites where needed and align the rollout with ongoing 5G spectrum deployment, rather than treating coverage fixes and 5G expansion as separate projects.
PTA teams are scheduled to visit Rawalpindi and Islamabad next week to independently assess network performance and verify whether the gaps have been addressed.
The directive follows the regulator’s second-quarter 2026 Quality of Service survey, which had already flagged recurring complaints about network reliability in the twin cities.
PTA said it will continue monitoring both cities and has not ruled out further action against operators that continue to fall short.
