The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has decided to impose stricter oversight on Telecommunication Infrastructure Provider (TIP) license holders after expressing serious concerns over weak rollouts and a large number of inactive licenses.

The regulator has warned that tougher conditions and annual performance targets will now be mandatory.

According to PTA documents, most TIP licensees have failed to meet even the basic requirements of their licenses. The authority has taken notice of their poor performance and is preparing to introduce stringent rollout obligations to boost telecom infrastructure development.

Under the proposed conditions, license holders will be required to lay at least 60 kilometers of fiber-optic cable annually. TIP operators will also be obligated to install 10 towers or radio links each year. Compliance with timelines for establishing submarine cable landing stations will be compulsory as well.

The PTA document states that the majority of TIP license holders have not fulfilled their licensing obligations - out of 24, only 14 have managed to deploy fiber networks, while six companies in Islamabad have installed 300 kilometers or more.

PTA believes these mandatory rollout requirements will help eliminate inactive licenses, noting that poor rollout efforts are hindering Pakistan’s national broadband goals. The authority says the proposed reforms will significantly improve telecom infrastructure, accelerate fiberization targets, and encourage new investments in the sector.

PTA has also invited stakeholders to submit their feedback and alternative proposals regarding the new policy measures.