PTA Flags Power Shortages, Limited Fiber as Key Hurdles to Connectivity in Chitral
Senate panel told network pressure, single fiber link and load-shedding hinder telecom services despite new towers and spectrum auction Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Major General (R) Hafeez ur Rehman has highlighted power shortages, limited fiber infrastructure, and spectrum constraints…
Pakistan Moves to Regulate Incoming International Calls to Boost Security and Revenue
ISLAMABAD The federal government has decided to introduce a regulatory framework for incoming international calls, aiming to strengthen national security, enhance transparency, and improve revenue collection, officials familiar with the matter said. According to sources in the Ministry of IT,…
PTA Clears Path for Telenor-Ufone Merger, Ensures No Impact on Consumers
ISLAMABAD Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to Ufone, paving the way for its merger with Telenor, officials said. According to sources within the regulator, Ufone has agreed to PTA’s 18-page conditions, clearing a major…
PTA Blocks 6.5 Million Domains in Sweeping 2025 Social Media Crackdown
ISLAMABAD Pakistan has carried out a sweeping crackdown on unlawful online content, with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) blocking 6.5 million domains and removing over 1.5 million URLs during 2025, according to a detailed report submitted to Parliament. The report…
Pakistan Charts Decade-Long 5G Expansion Plan Targeting 40 Cities by 2035
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s telecom sector is moving toward a structured and long-term 5G rollout, as the Ministry of IT has presented a detailed roadmap in Parliament, outlining phased expansion and strict performance targets to strengthen the country’s digital ecosystem. Under the…
5G Rollout Faces Delays in Pakistan Despite Spectrum Auction Completion
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s long-awaited 5G rollout continues to face hurdles even after the completion of the spectrum auction, as key software updates required for device compatibility remain pending. According to sources within the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Apple Inc. has yet…
Telcos Say Banks Set SMS Alert Charges as Senate Scrutiny Intensifies
ISLAMABAD Telecom operators have clarified that banks, not telecom companies, are primarily responsible for setting SMS alert charges, following a heated debate in the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue over rising costs for banking customers. Industry representatives told…