The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has introduced new technical testing and compliance standards for 5G devices and base stations as Pakistan moves toward wider deployment of next-generation mobile networks. The requirements have been prescribed under the Telecommunication Equipment Standards Regulations, 2024, and are intended to ensure that telecommunications equipment meets defined technical specifications before being deployed or used on local networks. Under the new framework, 5G New Radio (5G NR) devices will undergo testing for radio-frequency transmission and reception as well as compliance with relevant communication protocol requirements. The standards cover key technical areas including radio performance, spectrum access and electromagnetic compatibility, establishing a formal testing framework for equipment entering Pakistan’s telecommunications ecosystem. The requirements apply to PTA licensees, manufacturers and importers of telecommunications equipment, making compliance a requirement across different stages of the equipment supply and deployment process.
The new standards also introduce specific radio-conformance testing requirements for 5G New Radio base stations, which form a critical part of mobile network infrastructure. Base stations are responsible for connecting user devices with cellular networks, making their technical performance important for maintaining network reliability and meeting required operating conditions. By setting separate conformance requirements for base stations, the PTA framework covers both sides of the 5G ecosystem, including the equipment used by consumers and the infrastructure deployed by mobile operators. The authority’s standards are linked to international technical requirements for 5G user equipment and network infrastructure, with testing focused on areas such as radio-frequency performance and compatibility. Equipment suppliers seeking regulatory approval will need to demonstrate compliance through the prescribed testing process before their products can be certified for use in Pakistan.
The regulatory framework is not limited to 5G technology and also includes technical standards for previous generations of mobile networks. Requirements have been specified for 2G, 3G and 4G equipment, covering technologies including GSM, UMTS, LTE and CDMA2000. This means manufacturers and importers dealing with a broad range of telecommunications equipment will continue to be subject to technology-specific technical requirements. For companies applying to the PTA for a Certificate of Compliance, relevant test reports issued by accredited laboratories must be submitted as part of the certification process. The requirement for accredited laboratory reports provides a formal mechanism for verifying that equipment has undergone the necessary technical assessment and meets the standards applicable to its technology category before it is introduced into the Pakistani market or deployed within telecom networks.
The introduction of dedicated 5G testing requirements comes as mobile operators continue expanding next-generation network infrastructure across Pakistan. PTA data reported earlier this month showed that operators had significantly increased the number of operational 5G sites in Karachi, while the first rollout phase requires cellular operators to deploy 5G sites across major cities and upgrade portions of their existing networks. The authority has also recently introduced technical standards for other wireless technologies, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, NFC and RFID equipment under the same 2024 regulations. The latest 5G requirements therefore form part of a broader regulatory approach focused on technical conformity for telecommunications and wireless equipment. For manufacturers, importers and operators, compliance with the prescribed testing standards will remain an important requirement as Pakistan’s 5G infrastructure and compatible device ecosystem continue to expand.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
