Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has proposed a one-year trial period for companies and organisations that want to test Internet of Things (IoT) technology in the country. The proposal is part of the draft Internet of Things and Low Power Wide Area Networks (IoT-LPWAN) Licensing Regulations 2026, in which the regulator has suggested a special registration category for research, development, and testing of connected devices and networks. The proposed registration would remain valid for one year and would cover networks that are set up within a single premises for testing and research purposes, which gives companies a limited space to try new technology before they plan any commercial service.
Applicants for the trial category will have to pay an initial registration fee of Rs 2,000 and a non-refundable application processing fee of Rs 1,000. They will also need to submit technical details and other required documents through the online system of PTA. The draft regulations also introduce conditions for companies that use satellite connections and other services to transfer data between their network equipment. The proposed rules cover IoT and Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN) services across Pakistan and set up separate categories for licensed services, registered operations, and exempt activities, so that each kind of activity has its own requirements.
The trial category sits alongside other parts of the draft framework. According to reports on the draft, any entity that provides IoT services to third parties through designated LPWAN frequency bands will need a five-year commercial licence, which carries an initial licence fee of Rs 100,000 and a non-refundable processing fee of Rs 5,000. Private IoT networks set up within a single premises, such as farms, factories, campuses, or industrial plants, would need to be registered, and the draft also creates a category for technology platforms. Existing licences are proposed to carry over for their remaining validity, provided that the operators meet the updated requirements within 90 days.
The proposed one-year trial category is intended to allow organisations to test new connected device technologies in a controlled environment before moving toward commercial operations. The regulations have been circulated for consultation, which means that they are not yet final, and the framework is expected to come into effect only after a notification is published in the official Gazette. Companies, universities, and startups working on connected devices in areas such as agriculture, manufacturing, transport, healthcare, and smart infrastructure can review the draft and share their views with PTA while the consultation is open.
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