The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) issued 177 telecom licenses during the fiscal year 2023-24, underscoring its commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s telecommunications sector, as highlighted in its latest report.
Read More: TCL Faces Backlash in Pakistan Over Product Quality and Poor Customer Service
These licenses spanned multiple categories, with significant allocations for Fixed Local Loop (FLL) services (60 licenses), Class Value Added Services (CVAS) (36 licenses), and Wireless HF/VHF/UHF (31 licenses). Additional notable licenses included 39 Amateur licenses, three Long Distance and International (LDI) licenses, six Aeronautical Mobile Station licenses, and two IoT Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN) licenses.
As of October 2024, PTA’s cumulative licensing count has reached 2,140. Among these, Fixed Local Loop leads with 312 licenses, followed by 1,142 under wireless categories such as HF/UHF/VHF, Amateur, and IoT LPWAN. CVAS accounts for 540 licenses, while 46 licenses support Telecom Infrastructure Provider/Tower Provider (TIP/TTP) services.
Other significant areas include cellular/mobile licenses (5) and International Connectivity (Submarine Cables) licenses (7), with four submarine cable projects in progress. Local mobile manufacturing authorizations have climbed to 39, reflecting growth in domestic telecom production.
The PTA emphasized that its licensing initiatives are tailored to create a competitive, transparent, and well-regulated telecom market. By adapting policies to emerging technologies and market trends, the authority aims to expand digital connectivity, enhance service quality, and foster inclusivity.
Notable efforts in wireless and fixed local loop categories align with Pakistan’s rising demand for reliable telecom services. The inclusion of IoT LPWAN licenses further highlights PTA’s focus on enabling cutting-edge technologies, driving digital transformation, and improving service delivery, especially in underserved regions.
