Pakistan’s telecommunications regulator has introduced two major policy moves in a single week, reshaping both market structure and the country’s 5G roadmap.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has formally issued its Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) Policy Framework, enabling virtual operators to offer nationwide mobile services without owning spectrum. For the first time in Pakistan, licensed MVNOs will be able to deliver mobile communication and next-generation services by leasing infrastructure from existing mobile network operators.
MVNO licenses will be issued against a fee of approximately US$140,000. Operators will be required to contribute to the Universal Service Fund and research and development programs, and comply with PTA’s quality-of-service and security standards, placing them on similar regulatory footing to traditional mobile network operators.
In parallel, PTA has issued the Information Memorandum for Pakistan’s upcoming spectrum auction for Next Generation Mobile Services, including 5G. The auction is scheduled for 26 February.
Following PTCL’s acquisition of Telenor Pakistan, only one of PTCL, Ufone, or Telenor will be permitted to participate in the auction, alongside Jazz and Zong. It remains unclear whether additional players will be allowed to bid.
The regulator has outlined phased rollout and coverage obligations. Between 2026 and 2028, operators will be required to cover major urban centres and high-demand locations, including federal and provincial capitals, while addressing existing coverage gaps. These obligations include both 4G/LTE and 5G deployments.
Comprehensive nationwide coverage is expected only in Phase 4, between 2032 and 2035, with 5G anticipated to expand into smaller cities by that stage.
As part of the new framework, the government has reportedly relaxed certain financial obligations for operators, while significantly raising quality-of-service benchmarks. Minimum 4G downlink speeds will rise from 4 Mbps to 20 Mbps during 2026–2028, while 5G services must deliver at least 50 Mbps.
By 2030–2035, the minimum downlink speeds will increase to 50 Mbps for 4G and 100 Mbps for 5G, signalling a regulatory push toward materially improved user experience across the country.
