The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has revised its regulatory framework for Internet of Things (IoT) and Short Range Devices (SRD) to support the rapid development of a nationwide IoT ecosystem. The updated regulations aim to enable innovation across both licensed and shared frequency bands, aligning with international best practices and Pakistan’s broader digital transformation agenda.
Under the revised framework, PTA has introduced detailed guidelines for IoT service provisioning, with a strong emphasis on Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN) operating in shared and unlicensed spectrum on a non-interference, non-protection basis. IoT services using licensed or exclusively assigned spectrum will continue to be offered by Cellular Mobile Operators and other licensees under existing licence terms, while mission-critical IoT services will remain restricted to licensed spectrum.
For shared and unlicensed bands, IoT, SRD, and Ultra-Wideband devices will be licence-exempt, subject to compliance with technical limits and type approval requirements. Devices must operate strictly on a secondary basis, and any that cause harmful interference to primary services will be required to cease operation immediately.
A key addition to the framework is the introduction of a new LPWAN licence category under the Class Value-Added Services regime. This licence will allow operators to provide long-range IoT services using PTA-specified shared spectrum bands. Licensees will be required to register gateways, comply with health and safety standards, share network information with the regulator, and route backend traffic through PTA-licensed local access providers.
The revised framework also enforces data localisation requirements, prohibiting the storage of IoT data outside Pakistan without PTA approval, and grants the authority powers to suspend services on national security grounds. To support innovation and research, PTA has allowed test and trial IoT deployments for up to six months without an LPWAN licence, provided they remain non-commercial and meet defined conditions.
PTA said the updated regulations are designed to balance innovation with spectrum efficiency, interference management, and regulatory oversight, laying the foundation for smart cities, industrial automation, and other IoT-driven applications across the country.
