The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced on Thursday that the Federal Government has given its approval to the Telecom Infrastructure Sharing Framework (TISF). This framework, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) and the telecom industry, establishes a regulatory mechanism for licensees to share both active and passive telecom infrastructure in a fair and competitive manner.
According to the statement released by PTA, the approval of the TISF marks a significant advancement for the growth and sustainability of the telecom sector in Pakistan. The framework is poised to bring about substantial reductions in the costs associated with deploying (CapEx) and operating (OpEx) telecom networks. Ultimately, this is expected to translate into lower prices and improved services for consumers.
The statement highlights the pressing need for telecom infrastructure sharing in Pakistan, citing factors such as increasing inflation, low Average Revenue Per User (ARPU), rising fuel prices, revenue challenges, the significant CapEx demand for 4G and 5G expansion, connecting remote areas, and achieving cost-effective capacity growth for nationwide coverage.
Telecom Infrastructure Sharing is seen as a catalyst for launching new services with a broader coverage footprint and early Time to Market (TTM) for innovative products. The framework is anticipated to intensify competition among operators, encouraging a focus on service differentiation and enhancing customer experience as part of the underlying network is shared.
PTA expressed appreciation for the support from MoITT in the development and approval of the Telecom Infrastructure Sharing Framework. The Authority is optimistic about the positive impact of the framework on Pakistan’s telecom sector and looks forward to collaborative efforts for its implementation, aligning with the shared goal of advancing Pakistan as a leading digital economy.
Telecom infrastructure sharing involves the collaborative use of telecom network components and associated non-electronic and physical infrastructure to optimize resources through better asset utilization.
