PTA has drafted a new set of mandatory rollout obligations for Telecom Infrastructure Provider licensees as part of a broader effort to ensure that companies holding these permissions actively contribute to the expansion of national telecom infrastructure. The Authority shared a detailed consultation paper that outlines how TIP operators will be required to make measurable progress across a multi year timeline. PTA stated that these proposed obligations are necessary because TIP licenses allow the establishment and maintenance of core national infrastructure such as Earth Stations, Satellite Hubs, Optical Fiber Cable, Radio Communication Links, Submarine Cable Landing Stations and their supporting structures including towers, poles, ducts and pits. Despite this wide operational scope, many license holders have remained inactive or deployed minimal infrastructure, which has limited the pace of national connectivity improvements.
The consultation paper proposes a structured framework where each TIP licensee must fulfill one of several rollout categories based on the type of infrastructure they intend to develop. For Earth Stations and Satellite Hubs, licensees would be required to deploy at least one operational Earth Station or Satellite Hub within the first year of the rollout period. For companies opting to work with Optical Fiber Cable, the obligation would include laying 60 kilometers of fiber per year over five years, a measure designed to accelerate fiberization across underserved and high growth regions. PTA acknowledged that optical fiber connectivity plays a central role in enhancing backhaul capacity, supporting mobile broadband growth and improving digital services, making this requirement an important driver for long term network resilience.
The framework also outlines conditions for TIP operators focusing on Towers or Radio Communication Links. These operators would need to install 10 towers or establish 10 radio links annually for a period of five years. The Authority noted that expanding tower capacity directly supports mobile network operators by improving coverage and enabling higher quality mobile internet services. For entities looking to build Submarine Cable Landing Stations, the requirements are guided by a phased approach. In the first year, the operator must obtain a Permit in Principle. In the second year, the landing station must be established and the operator must seek commencement certification. By the third year, the landing station must be fully operational. PTA stated that this timeline is designed to ensure that such critical infrastructure is brought online in a predictable and accountable manner, given its importance for international bandwidth, redundancy and overall service stability.
PTA emphasized that mandatory rollout obligations are intended to bring greater transparency and accountability to the sector. By ensuring that TIP licensees make consistent progress, the Authority aims to support Pakistan’s broader goals of improving digital access, strengthening backhaul networks and expanding connectivity to match rising data demand. These measures are also expected to enhance investment predictability for downstream telecom operators who depend on robust infrastructure to deliver mobile and fixed broadband services. The Authority added that improved rollout monitoring will help reduce delays, prevent license stagnation and promote active participation across all segments of the telecom ecosystem.
The consultation paper has been circulated among industry stakeholders, giving operators, investors and relevant organizations the opportunity to provide feedback before the framework is finalized. PTA stated that the input gathered during this consultation phase will help refine the final obligations and ensure that the proposed rollout structure aligns with sector realities while maintaining the objective of meaningful infrastructure expansion.
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