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The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoIT&T) is developing a new online automated system to simplify the process for telecom operators in obtaining Right of Way (RoW) No Objection Certificates (NOCs).
In a written response to the Senate’s question, the Minister in Charge of the Cabinet Division assured the body that legislation and policy initiatives would be pursued to ease the expansion of the telecom industry.
The minister emphasized that cellular mobile operators (CMOs) are obligated to satisfy minimum yearly base transceiver station (BTS) site targets per operator as part of the rollout requirements imposed by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
Punjab needs 245 sites, Sindh 105, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) 65, and Balochistan 30.
These commitments aim to achieve a 3% annual increase in population coverage, with site additions determined by terrain, radio frequency conditions, and existing network equipment.
Additionally, the Senate was informed that CMO licenses are issued by PTA in an open auction procedure, with all terms and conditions pertaining to rollout duties explicitly stated. Licenses are granted for a duration of 15 years, and standards for coverage based on population have been strengthened from 2021.
The Universal Service Fund (USF) is important for providing phone service in remote and underdeveloped places. Projects that extend connectivity to places where economic viability is minimal are funded by the USF in accordance with the Pakistan Telecom (Re-Organization) Act.
Additionally, the minister mentioned that PTA has granted unique licenses to the provinces of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), each with its own set of goals for the urban and rural areas in terms of rollout.
