Pakistan Telecommunication Authority introduces 5G standards and market rules

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is implementing new regulatory frameworks aimed at technical standardization and market competition.

Under the Telecommunication Equipment Standards Regulations 2024, the PTA has introduced technical testing and compliance standards for 5G devices and base stations. These requirements ensure that 5G New Radio (5G NR) equipment meets specific radio-frequency transmission, spectrum access, and electromagnetic compatibility standards before deployment. The framework applies to manufacturers, importers, and licensees, covering both consumer devices and network infrastructure to ensure reliability as the country moves toward wider 5G deployment.

Simultaneously, the PTA has proposed amendments to the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication’s Competition Rules 2026. These changes target Significant Market Power (SMP) by expanding the criteria for assessing market dominance. Under the proposal, telecom operators with more than 25 percent of revenues in a relevant market may be presumed to hold SMP. This status would subject dominant providers to stricter oversight, including potential controls on service pricing and requirements to share infrastructure with smaller competitors.