177 Telecom Licenses Issued by PTA in FY24

According to the most recent report, 177 telecom licenses were issued by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in fiscal year 2023-24. A wide range of licenses were granted, indicating a strong commitment to improving the country’s telecom infrastructure and services.

Wireless HF/VHF/UHF licenses accounted for 31, Class Value Added Services (CVAS) for 36, and Fixed Local Loop (FLL) for 60. There were a few more notable categories, such as Amateur Licenses (39 in total), Aeronautical Mobile Station Licenses (6), and IoT Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN) Licenses (2).

The PTA has recorded 2,140 licenses in all categories as of October 2024. Out of all the licenses issued, 312 fall into the Fixed Local Loop category, 1,142 into the wireless services category (including HF/UHF/VHF, Amateur, and IoT LPWAN), and 142 into the other categories.

A total of 540 licenses were granted for Class Value Added Services (CVAS), with 46 licenses designated for Telecom Infrastructure Provider/Tower Provider (TIP/TTP) services only. There are now five cellular/mobile licenses and seven licenses for international connectivity (submarine cables), with four more submarine cable projects on the way. With 39 local mobile manufacturing authorizations, the domestic telecom manufacturing sector is making headway.

The report states that the goal of PTA’s licensing programs is to promote innovation and consumer safety by creating a telecom market that is both competitive and well-regulated. The authority’s organized framework creates a stable climate that attracts investments and prioritizes efficiency and openness.

Driving digital transformation and boosting service delivery across Pakistan, especially in underserved and rural locations, the PTA caters to different telecom service and infrastructure demands.

The authority emphasizes that increasing digital connectivity, improving service standards, and fostering diversity rely on its dedication to adjusting regulations in response to new technology and changing market trends. The increasing need for dependable and cutting-edge telecom services in Pakistan is well-aligned with important licensing initiatives, including those in the wireless and fixed local loop categories. An additional indication of the regulatory body’s commitment to enabling new technologies is the inclusion of IoT LPWAN licenses.