Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
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.
The PTCL-Ufone acquisition of Telenor Pakistan remains stuck pending CCP approval, delaying network upgrades, weakening market competition, and slowing 5G readiness, as rivals gain ground and sector uncertainty grows.
The proposed merger between PTCL and Telenor Pakistan promises to advance the country’s telecom sector by driving infrastructure development, including 5G rollout. The merger aims to improve service quality, efficiency, and connectivity, particularly in rural areas, while fostering investment and enhancing Pakistan’s competitiveness in the regional market.