In order to support next-generation mobile services and bolster digital infrastructure, the federal government has chosen to establish a joint task force to carry out extensive reforms in the telecom industry.
Telecom operators, power distribution firms, NEPRA, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, the Ministry of Energy (Power Division), and the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication will all be represented on the task force.
The policy directive states that in order to handle extended power outages that impact telecom networks, the task force would investigate and implement an industrial power tariff for the telecom industry, deploy smart grid solutions, and create dedicated power feeders.
These actions are meant to lower operating costs for operators, increase network dependability, and facilitate the widespread adoption of cutting-edge mobile technologies.
Along with reviewing the 2020 Rolling Spectrum Strategy, the federal government plans to release approximately 1,000 MHz of low- and mid-band spectrum well in advance of 2030.
Other measures include encouraging the effective use of current telecom assets, leveraging infrastructure sponsored by the Universal Service Fund to increase fiber backhaul, and facilitating infrastructure sharing to enhance tenancy ratios.
The government intends to facilitate smartphone upgrades through tax breaks, encourage local manufacturing to increase affordability, and permit the duty-free import of 5G equipment in order to hasten the adoption of 5G.
In order to attract long-term investment in Pakistan’s digital ecosystem, the policy directive also asks for a review of the telecom licensing regime to improve customer experience, convenience of doing business, and restore the telecom sector’s financial health.
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