{
  "id": 15635373,
  "title": "PTA proposes 10-year radio licences, online processing under new rules",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/pta-proposes-10-year-radio-licences-online-processing-under-new-rules",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-19T16:52:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40444959/pta-proposes-10-year-radio-licences-online-processing-under-new-rules"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has suggested a new licensing system for radio-based communication services, featuring a 10-year licence term, online application processing and a 15-working day deadline for notifying decisions on completed applications. The proposed Radio Based Services (RBS) Licensing Regulations, 2026 introduce four licence categories for private radio networks, aircraft mobile stations, maritime mobile stations and amateur radio operators, including junior operators. Applicants must submit electronic applications via the PTA's online system, with junior amateur radio licences exempt from fees. Aircraft and maritime mobile station licences cost Rs100,000, while Inmarsat terminals aboard aircraft or vessels incur an additional Rs250,000 fee. Private radio network licences involve a non-refundable Rs5,000 application processing fee and Rs10,000 initial licence fee. Renewal applications must be submitted three months before expiry, with spectrum revalidation cases requiring six months' notice. The PTA will enforce type approval for radio equipment, except for specific exemptions. The authority reserves the right to deny licences that could endanger national security and can inspect licensed radio equipment with prior notice, except in cases of reasonable apprehension of harmful interference, unauthorised spectrum use or a security threat. Amateur radio operators must be at least 18 years old, be members of the Pakistan Amateur Radio Society, and provide a police clearance certificate. Junior licences are available for applicants aged 14 to under 18 with sponsorship and parental or institutional consent. Existing licensees must register their licence details online within six months of the regulations' implementation, with no registration fees.",
  "summary": "The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has proposed a new licensing framework for radio-based communication services, introducing a 10-year licence term, online application processing and a 15-working-day deadline for communicating decisions on complete applications, while tightening eligibility, equipment and compliance requirements. Under the draft Radio Based Services (RBS) Licensing…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}