In a detailed briefing to the Senate Standing Committee on IT & Telecom, PTA outlined its new regulatory framework for Virtual Private Networks, introducing the 15-year Data Class License for commercial VPN operators. The move formalizes the previously grey area of VPN provision, requiring any applicant to be a legally registered entity with SECP. The license demands applicants demonstrate both technical capability and financial feasibility, ensuring operators are prepared to deliver reliable services. A registration fee of $500, along with annual fees, applies to all licensees. PTA has already issued six Data Class Licenses, with established operators like PTCL and NTC authorized to provide VPN services under their existing licenses. Out of sixteen licensed entities, twelve have successfully obtained commencement certificates, indicating strong uptake under the new framework.
Alongside VPN regulation, the committee reviewed updated connectivity reports from USF, focusing on network coverage gaps along Pakistan’s critical national highways. On the N-5 corridor, which stretches from Karachi to Sukkur, 97% of the approximately 492 km route is covered, leaving only 14.22 km unserved. Coverage along M-9, connecting Karachi to Hyderabad, is higher at 99%, with just 1.1 km lacking service. USF emphasized that these unserved segments have been identified for future intervention, dependent on policy approvals and budget allocation. The updates reflect ongoing efforts to close connectivity gaps and ensure reliable communication infrastructure for both commercial and public use.
The committee also discussed specific projects in Sindh and Balochistan to improve remote connectivity. In Umerkot, Sindh, the absence of Optic Fiber Cable connectivity prompted USF to launch the OFC-UC-SD-LOT36 project, targeting unserved Union Councils, with bids currently under evaluation. In Balochistan, the fund reviewed coordinates for 113 locations, identifying four genuinely unserved areas to include in upcoming coverage expansion plans. These initiatives demonstrate a coordinated effort to address longstanding gaps in rural and remote telecommunications access while integrating new technologies to strengthen network resilience.
Service quality in key districts was also assessed, with PTA surveys from mid-2025 confirming improvements by Ufone in Gali Samli, Abbottabad. Quality of Service metrics now fall within licensed thresholds, reflecting the effectiveness of regulatory oversight. The combined updates on VPN licensing and network expansion indicate PTA and USF’s ongoing commitment to modernizing Pakistan’s telecom ecosystem, balancing regulatory compliance, infrastructure development, and service quality for operators and end users alike.
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