Only 9 out of 15 License Holders Installed Telecom Towers in Pakistan: PTA

Islamabad: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has revealed that only 9 out of 15 licensed operators have installed telecom towers across Pakistan, raising concerns over the progress of 5G infrastructure development in the country.
According to the PTA, the expansion of telecom tower infrastructure has become a major challenge for the successful rollout of 5G services. The authority noted that only 40 percent of license holders have established tower networks nationwide, while just six operators have installed 50 or more towers each.
The regulator has taken notice of the inactivity of several license holders and has decided to introduce stricter rollout obligations for telecom tower providers. A phased deployment framework has also been proposed to ensure timely infrastructure development.
Under the new proposed conditions, license holders will be required to install at least 10 telecom towers in the first year after obtaining the license. Additionally, they must deploy 10 new towers annually, while achieving a total of 50 towers within five years.
The PTA stated that these rollout obligations will be enforced after the issuance of certification. Consultation with stakeholders regarding the revised rollout targets has already begun.
Operators have been asked to submit their feedback by May 18 as part of the ongoing consultation process. The authority said the measures aim to accelerate telecom infrastructure growth and support the future 5G ecosystem in Pakistan.