PTA Enforces New Tariff Rules for Operators

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has formally addressed growing public discourse surrounding escalating mobile tariffs, declining service standards, and unauthorised billing practices. The regulator reaffirmed its statutory mandate to ensure consumer protection while maintaining structured oversight of the telecommunications sector.

Through the notification of the Mobile Tariff Regulations, 2025, PTA has introduced a codified tariff governance framework. Under this regime, operators designated as possessing Significant Market Power (SMP) will be obligated to secure prior regulatory approval before implementing any new tariff plans or modifying existing pricing structures.

Operators not classified under SMP may exercise commercial discretion in pricing; however, PTA has preserved its interventionary powers where tariff structures are assessed to be exploitative or contrary to consumer welfare principles.

The Authority emphasised that while consumer safeguards remain paramount, regulatory equilibrium requires preservation of market sustainability. It observed that Pakistan continues to record one of the lowest Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) benchmarks in the region, alongside comparatively economical mobile data rates.

In parallel, PTA underscored ongoing quality-of-service enhancement measures, including the forthcoming spectrum auction scheduled for March 2025. Successful bidders will be mandated to undertake further capital deployment toward spectrum acquisition and network expansion, a move anticipated to strengthen nationwide connectivity, optimise data throughput, and elevate service reliability standards.

Further reinforcing compliance measures, PTA has directed all mobile network operators to obtain explicit and informed subscriber consent prior to activation of any Value-Added Services (VAS). Consumers are encouraged to proactively review and manage their subscriptions via official operator platforms.

PTA reiterated its commitment to fostering a transparent, compliance-driven regulatory ecosystem that aligns consumer protection imperatives with long-term sectoral growth and investment stability.