Islamabad

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has completed joint Quality of Service (QoS) surveys across remote regions of Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, assessing mobile network performance during the fourth quarter of 2025.

Multi-City Network Audit

The assessment covered key cities including Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Rawalakot, and Palandri in AJK, as well as Astore, Gilgit, Ghakuch, Hunza, and Shigar in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Using advanced monitoring tools, PTA teams evaluated voice calls, SMS services, and mobile broadband performance under automated detection systems to ensure compliance with national licensing standards.

Compliance Under Review

According to the findings, most cellular mobile operators met the required 4G/LTE signal strength benchmarks under the NGMS licensing framework and QoS Regulations 2021.

Performance trends showed variation across regions:

• Zong recorded stronger download speeds in AJK
• Telenor Pakistan and SCOM demonstrated comparatively better performance in Gilgit-Baltistan

Regulatory Oversight Strengthened

The regulator said overall compliance levels remained largely satisfactory, ensuring stable mobile connectivity across most surveyed areas. However, operators have been directed to address performance gaps in specific locations where standards were not fully met.

The PTA has made detailed survey results publicly available on its official website as part of its transparency framework.

Focus on Remote Connectivity

Analysts say such assessments are critical for Pakistan’s mountainous and remote regions, where maintaining consistent telecom coverage remains a long-standing challenge.

The findings highlight both progress in digital connectivity and the need for continued investment to ensure uniform service quality across all regions.