The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has approved a new policy that will allow more mobile service providers to enter Pakistan’s telecom market.
The move is expected to increase competition, offer more choices to consumers, and introduce new and customized mobile packages under different brand names.
Under the new Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) Policy Framework, companies will be allowed to provide mobile services without building their own mobile networks. Instead, these companies will use the existing networks of current mobile operators while selling services under their own brands. This means users could see new mobile service brands in the market, even though they rely on the same underlying networks.
The policy was approved by the Federal Cabinet and formally issued by the PTA. It clearly defines an MVNO as a mobile service provider that does not own radio towers, spectrum, or core network infrastructure. Instead, it operates through agreements with licensed Mobile Network Operators (MNOs).
Only companies incorporated in Pakistan and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) will be eligible to apply for an MVNO license. These companies can sign agreements with one or more existing mobile operators to offer services across the country. While they can design their own packages and marketing strategies, their infrastructure is limited to customer support and billing systems.
The MVNO license will be valid for 15 years, provided all PTA rules are followed. Applicants must submit a detailed business and technical plan, along with a draft agreement and consent letter from the parent mobile operator. Any changes to these agreements will require prior approval from the PTA. MVNOs will not be allowed to start services or collect payments until the authority issues a formal commencement certificate.
Under the framework, MVNOs will receive mobile numbers through their parent operators but will be fully responsible for service quality, billing, customer complaints, and dispute resolution. They must also comply with all national security requirements set by the PTA. The policy further states that parent mobile operators cannot reduce or stop services to MVNOs without prior approval from the regulator.
The financial requirements include a one-time nationwide license fee of US$140,000. MVNOs will also pay an annual license fee equal to 0.5 percent of their gross revenue, along with contributions to the Universal Service Fund at 1.5 percent and the Research and Development Fund at 0.5 percent after deductions.
The policy sets strict timelines for operations. If an MVNO fails to launch services within one year of receiving its license, the license will be terminated. Similarly, if an agreement with a parent mobile operator ends, the MVNO license will be suspended unless a new agreement is submitted within one year.
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Onic already provided their Cellular Services with the same concept by collaboration with PTML.
It is happy to hear about new telecom company, healthy competition will run in the market. Certainly aeam will be benifitted.
Pakistan often have power failures, telecom service being blocked due to political reasonings, During moharram, or due to some processions mobile services are blocked.
The government of Pakistan and the mobile network service providers should compensate the consumers for the time lapse in the packages due to these blockages or poor services along with providing extra minutes and GB data to the consumer as bonus.
I think, It would be a fraud with the public of Pakistan. A Mobile Company without it’s own Network… Fully dependent on Jazz Ufone and Zong… Can some one expect a better and economic services?
It won’t be fraud because telecom tower companies will provide bandwidth and internet speed in accordance with the licenses they have obtained from the PTA. Jazz has also sold its towers to Engro Enfrashare. Tower companies such as Engro Enfrashare and Awwal Telecom etc will build the network infrastructure and provide coverage under the name of the end-user telecom service providers, such as Jazz, Zong, or Ufone. The same tower can provide signals for multiple operators’ customers, which helps expand coverage, improve capacity, and deliver more consistent speeds and connectivity across a wider area. As previously every telecom company used to set up their own tower.
Agar same infrastructure hi use krna hai to na hi coverage main behtri aye gi or na hi quality behtr ho gimojooda networks to 3g bhi sahi se dene main nakaam hain… internet package ke pase pay krne ke baad bhi ni chlta to kia faida en new telecoms ka….i think yh onic jese telecom company ho gi
What does this even mean: “Under the new Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) Policy Framework, companies will be allowed to provide mobile services without building their own mobile networks. Instead, these companies will use the existing networks of current mobile operators while selling services under their own brands. This means users could see new mobile service brands in the market, even though they rely on the same underlying networks.”
I think this is a bad move! Nobody should have a right on user’s data other than fully authorized and licensed operators! Creating and leasing virtual lans on already established whole networks is like giving away the security and comfort of a big organization and switching to some small time third party crap for no reason! Which would be super stupid.
PTA and the government kinda tryna grab every b$ opportunity of earning big bucks with no sense of future consequences!
At least i hope they’ll publicly announce a package or service launched by these virtual network operators so that people would choose b/w authentic and overlays!
No use of it. Companies without physical network are just a gimmick, no benefits to end users, while people are fed up with services of existing network, as well as expensive packages, onic is a best example.
PTA’s new MVNO framework is a significant step toward modernizing Pakistan’s telecom sector. While brands like Onic have already set a positive precedent with competitive data plans, Onic currently operates as a sub-brand of PTCL Group (Ufone) rather than as an independent MVNO.
However, the true success of this initiative depends on strict regulatory oversight; both existing MNOs and incoming MVNOs must be held fully accountable for service transparency and network performance. For a market frequently plagued by call drops and slow internet, this framework offers a vital opportunity to demand higher standards and ensure that Pakistani consumers finally receive the connectivity they deserve.