Pakistan plans tougher telecom rules, national roaming obligations for dominant operators

The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) in Pakistan is proposing stricter rules for the telecom sector, aiming to create a competitive environment. The draft Telecommunication Competition Rules, 2026, grant the regulator the power to enforce national roaming obligations on dominant operators, initiate legal action against violators, and mediate disputes.

Operators with Significant Market Power (SMP) may be required to provide national roaming access if it promotes competition, aids network expansion, safeguards consumer welfare, or ensures efficient infrastructure use. These obligations would be imposed on fair, reasonable, transparent, and non-discriminatory terms, with the Authority determining the technical feasibility, operational scope, and duration of such arrangements.

The draft rules could intensify regulatory pressure on dominant operators as the sector consolidates and prepares for 5G deployment. Violators may face directives, corrective measures, proportional obligations, or legal proceedings. The proposed framework operates independently of the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) under the 2010 Competition Act.

The rules aim to enhance sector-specific regulation, clarify fees for applications, and enable the Authority to issue guidelines, determinations, and directions. The national roaming provisions align with the policy goal of expanding nationwide telecom coverage, following the 2015 Telecom Policy's call for national roaming for SMP operators.

The timing of these proposals is crucial for Pakistan's telecom industry, as consolidation, spectrum concentration, infrastructure access, and competitive conditions gain prominence. Recent proposals from the PTA suggest a 25-percent market-share threshold as a trigger for SMP assessment, alongside various other tests.