The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) officials said telecom towers are taking steps to shift towards solar energy, warning that prolonged electricity outage continues disrupting mobile and internet services.
During the a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecom, officials confirmed operators are gradually adopting renewable systems, reducing reliance on diesel fuel, and strengthening infrastructure against repeated theft incidents.
PTA stated electricity outages have increased in duration, creating major challenges for the telecom industry and directly affecting mobile and internet services.
Despite operators not being defaulters, they still face electricity shutdowns lasting up to 12 hours, leaving services vulnerable to prolonged disruptions.
Officials explained telecom operators cannot maintain battery backup beyond two hours, causing immediate service breakdowns during extended electricity load shedding periods.
PTA demanded uninterrupted electricity supply for operators, stressing that continuous power is essential to ensure reliable mobile and internet services across the country.
Officials informed the committee that PTA issued show‑cause notices and imposed hefty fines on telecom operators, citing poor internet services.
PTA confirmed various measures are underway to improve internet services, including stricter monitoring of operators and enforcement of service quality standards.
The regulator stated the 5G spectrum launch will introduce advanced services while also significantly improving existing 4G connectivity across Pakistan.
