The PTA plans to implement stricter rollout requirements for Telecom Infrastructure Provider (TIP) licensees in line with its mission to promote significant deployment of telecom infrastructure throughout Pakistan.
The Authority has drafted a discussion document suggesting a systematic series of obligatory deployment standards that TIP operators must fulfill over an extended timeline.
Within the suggested structure, TIP license holders are expected to meet one of the specified rollout classifications. For Earth Stations or Satellite Hubs, the license holder must set up at least one Earth Station or Satellite Hub within the initial year.
For Optical Fiber Cable, operators are required to install 60 kilometers of fiber cable annually for a period of five years.
Regarding Towers or Radio Communication Connections, the proposal requires the establishment of 10 towers or communication links each year for a span of five years.
Concerning Submarine Cable Landing Stations, the responsibilities entail securing a Permit in Principle (PiP) during the initial year, developing the landing station and applying for commencement certification in the second year, and reaching operational functionality by the third year.
The Authority contends that these responsibilities are vital because the TIP license permits the creation and upkeep of crucial national infrastructure, comprising Earth Stations, Satellite Hubs, Optical Fiber Cables, Radio Communication Links, Submarine Cable Landing Stations, and ancillary structures such as towers, poles, ducts, and pits. Notwithstanding these broad approvals, numerous licensees have historically been inactive or have deployed limited infrastructure.
Through the implementation of these more rigorous deployment standards, the PTA seeks to guarantee that every TIP licensee plays a significant role in Pakistan’s objectives of enhancing digital connectivity, bolstering fiber infrastructure, and upgrading network robustness.
The Authority holds that obligatory rollout requirements will enhance both transparency and accountability while also hastening the advancement of essential telecommunications infrastructure across the country.
The discussion document has been circulated to interested parties for input, enabling industry players to express their views on the suggested actions before their completion and inclusion in upcoming regulatory frameworks.
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