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ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has officially registered eight Virtual Private Network (VPN) service providers, with four receiving operational clearance under the country’s regulatory framework.
This move aligns with the authority’s ongoing efforts to regulate VPN services under the framework of the Broadband Policy 2004, which classifies VPNs as a Value-Added Service (VAS).
Who’s Operational?
The four operational VPN providers include:
- Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd. (PTCL)
- National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC)
- Alpha 3 Cubic (Pvt.) Ltd. (brand name: Steer Lucid)
- Zettabyte (Pvt.) Ltd. (brand name: Crest VPN)
These companies have met all necessary regulatory requirements and are now fully licensed to offer VPN services within Pakistan.
Full List of Licensed VPN Providers
Below is a detailed list of the 8 VPN providers licensed by PTA, along with their respective brand names and operational status:
| Entity Name | VPN Brand Name | Commencement Status |
| Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd. (PTCL) | – | Operational |
| National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) | – | Operational |
| Alpha 3 Cubic (Private) Limited | Steer Lucid | Operational |
| Zettabyte (Private) Limited | Crest VPN | Operational |
| Nexilium Tech (SMC-Private) Limited | Kestrel VPN | Non-Operational |
| Microtrack (Private) Limited | SafeNet | Non-Operational |
| Vision Tech 360 (Private) Limited | Kryptonyme VPN | Non-Operational |
| UKI Conic Solutions (SMC-Private) Limited | QuiXure VPN | Non-Operational |
PTA has dismissed media claims regarding sluggish licensing procedures. The authority clarified that there is “no fixed limit” on the number of VPN providers, and the registration process is ongoing, transparent, and demand-driven.
“The VPN licensing process is open and without any delays,” PTA confirmed, emphasizing that new applications are continuously being processed in collaboration with PSEB, PASHA, and the Ministry of IT & Telecom.
While VPN services provide privacy and encrypted communication, PTA continues to monitor and restrict unregistered VPN usage, warning that actions against unauthorized VPNs will remain in line with the existing legal framework.
