The Pakistan Telecommunication Ordinance 1994, established the primary regulatory framework for the telecommunication industry including the establishment of an authority. Thereafter, Telecommunication Act no XVII was promulgated in 1996 that aimed to reorganize the telecom sector of Pakistan. Under Telecom Reorganization Act 1996, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority was established in 1996 to regulate the establishment, operation and maintenance of telecommunication systems and the provision of telecom services.
Functions
To regulate the establishment, operation and maintenance of telecommunication systems and provision of telecommunication services in Pakistan. To receive and expeditiously dispose of applications for the use of radio-frequency spectrum. To promote and protect the interests of users of telecommunication services in Pakistan. To promote the availability of a wide range of high quality, efficient, cost effective and competitive telecommunication services throughout Pakistan. To promote rapid modernization of telecommunication systems and telecommunication services. To investigate and adjudicate on complaints and other claims made against licensees arising out of alleged contraventions of the provisions of this Act, the rules made and licenses issued there under and take action accordingly. To make recommendations to the Federal Government on policies with respect to international telecommunications, provision of support for participation in international meetings and agreements to be executed in relation to the routing of international traffic and accounting settlements.
Responsibilities of Authority
In exercising its functions and powers under the Act, the authority ensures:
Rights of licensees are duly protected.
All of its decisions and determinations are made promptly, in an open equitable, non discriminatory, consistent and transparent manner.
All applications made to it are disposed of expeditiously;
The persons affected by its decisions or determination are given a due notice thereof and provided with an opportunity of being heard.
The interest of users of telecommunication services are duly safeguarded and protected.
Licensing
PTA, has given number of Mobile, Fixed Line licenses to operators for services in Pakistan. This happened in 3 auctions by the Next Generation Mobile Services.
NGMS Auction 2014
PTA Auctioned spectrum for 3G and 4G services in 2014. One 4G licenses and three 3G licenses were finally auctioned on 23 April 2014. The 4G license was bagged by Zong, while the 3G licenses were auctioned to Telenor, Mobilink and Ufone. While Warid Pakistan was the only operator in Pakistan not to bid on the auction; Later on, Warid started LTE services using a previously acquired technology neutral license. The auction raised a total of $1.22 billion including 10% advance tax for the government of Pakistan.
NGMS Auction 2016
Another auction was held in June 20for a 10 MHz block in the 850 MHz frequency, the base price was set at USD 395 million. Telenor Pakistan was the only bidder in the auction and won the license for 850 MHz which it now uses for 3G and LTE.
NGMS Auction 2017
PTA plans to hold another auction on the 16th of May 2017 to auction a 10 MHz block in the 1800 MHz frequency, which was un-sold in the 2014 NGMS auction. The base price will be set at USD 295 million. It was first mentioned that Ufone could've been the only operator to participate in the 2017 NGMS auction, however as of April 24, 2017, PTA officials had revealed that all telecom operators have shown great interest in the available spectrum and the auction has been delayed to 24 May 2017 on the request of all telecom operators. Contrary to earlier rumours and statements, the only operator to bid for the 1800 MHz 4G spectrum in the 2017 auction would be Jazz, the other operators, Telenor, Zong and Ufone did not submit any applications and a statement from PTA mentioned that Jazz was the only operator to submit the application before the deadline which was the 17th of May 2017. On the 18th of May 2017, Jazz became the winner of the 4G spectrum auction. It will be officially awarded the spectrum after the fee is paid.
PUBG Controversy
In July 2020, PTA banned the online gamePlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds Many social media activists like Waqar Zaka uploaded videos on YouTube urging Pakistanis to speak up against this ban. Millions of Social media users of Pakistan have flooded sites like Facebook,Twitter and have shown overwhelming support for PUBG. In response, PTA has still not lifted ban on the popular online game.
Recent Achievements
1) Auction and subsequent spectacular growth in Mobile Broadband. Broadband density in the country jumped from under 2% to over 15% in less than 2 years. 2) Verification of all the SIMs in the country resulting in a unique identity for every SIM. 3) First local authority in the world to downgrade technology in their country.
