PTA Issues 300 Licences to Expand Internet Access Across Pakistan

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has recently granted 300 district-level class licences to companies in an effort to broaden internet access and promote fibre deployment across Pakistan, particularly in underdeveloped regions. These licences are primarily distributed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The authority anticipates that this initiative will enhance digital connectivity, strengthen the internet infrastructure, and expedite the rollout of fibre networks, especially in remote areas.

Each district-level class licence is valid for a decade. To obtain this licence, companies must pay an initial fee of Rs. 300,000 and an annual fee of Rs. 100,000 for the first year. Under the licensing terms, small and medium-sized enterprises are permitted to offer internet services within a single district. The PTA will only issue a single district-level licence to each company.

Licensed internet service providers are obligated to launch commercial operations within one year of receiving their licence and register a minimum of 100 broadband subscribers in their first year of business. To maintain regulatory compliance and ensure service reliability, these companies must source their bandwidth from duly licensed operators. The PTA's recent announcement of 300 licences to expand internet access across Pakistan was initially reported by ProPakistani.