Pakistan Telecommunication Authority mandates 5G improvements and fines operators

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued several enforcement orders targeting mobile network operators to improve service quality and 5G infrastructure.

In a directive issued on September 19, 2026, the PTA ordered mobile operators to resolve 5G coverage gaps in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi by an October deadline. The regulator mandated the installation of new mobile sites and the deployment of new spectrum bands to ensure reliable service, specifically targeting major commuter routes such as the Kashmir Highway and Islamabad Expressway.

Separately, the PTA imposed significant financial penalties on major cellular operators for failing to meet Quality of Service (QoS) standards. Telenor Pakistan was fined Rs68.055 million, while Pakistan Telecom Mobile Limited (PTML) and CMPak Limited (Zong) were each fined Rs38.889 million. These penalties follow nationwide surveys and re-verification exercises conducted under the Cellular Mobile Quality of Service Regulations, 2021.