Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
PTCL has confirmed its participation in Pakistan’s upcoming 5G spectrum auction following its acquisition of Telenor Pakistan, positioning the merged entity as the country’s second-largest telecom operator amid strong revenue growth and persistent cost pressures across the sector.
PTA has officially granted regulatory clearance to PTCL for the acquisition of Telenor Pakistan after evaluating its impact on competition and consumer protection. The approval is conditional on the completion of legal and commercial requirements and maintaining service continuity. PTA has confirmed it will closely supervise the transition to ensure license compliance, service quality, and a competitive telecom environment.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has granted conditional approval to Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited for its acquisition of Telenor Pakistan, marking…
PTCL’s acquisition of Telenor Pakistan is in its final regulatory stage, with PTA expected to issue the NOC by the end of November. With CCP conditions already in place and further approvals pending from SBP and SECP, the merger is poised to reshape Pakistan’s telecom market ahead of the critical 2026 5G auction.
Internet services in Pakistan have been restored after PTCL completed repairs on a faulty repeater in one of its submarine cables. The 18-hour maintenance operation briefly disrupted speeds nationwide but restored stability to Pakistan’s international internet network.
The CCP has ordered PTCL to separate its operations from the newly merged Ufone-Telenor entity to safeguard competition and transparency. The directive enforces strict governance, independent management, and regular oversight to ensure profitability and prevent anti-competitive practices in Pakistan’s telecom sector.
The Competition Commission of Pakistan has conditionally approved PTCL’s acquisition of Telenor Pakistan and Orion Towers, requiring strict oversight, separate governance, and fair access guarantees. If PTA clearance follows, the merger will create the country’s second-largest operator with 70 million subscribers, reshaping Pakistan’s telecom landscape.
The CCP will conditionally approve PTCL’s USD 400 million acquisition of Telenor Pakistan after an 18-month review, imposing safeguards on pricing, infrastructure sharing, and competition. The decision balances market dominance concerns with potential efficiencies, setting a precedent for rigorous telecom merger oversight.
Pakistan’s telecom regulator has cast doubt over the PTCL–Telenor merger, citing concerns about PTCL’s finances, ethics, and transparency. The CCP has demanded binding investment commitments and clarity on funding sources, warning that vague or incomplete responses undermine the merger’s viability and competitive impact.
PTCL Group reported 16% YoY revenue growth in HY 2025, fueled by fiber broadband, enterprise services, and Ufone 4G. Despite a one-off net loss, the Group expanded its FTTH footprint, launched Pakistan’s first 5G-ready smart community, boosted digital wallets and apps, and advanced major regional connectivity projects.