Key Points
• Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) notifies MVNO Policy Framework after Cabinet approval
• Framework allows MVNOs to offer nationwide mobile services under their own brands without owning spectrum
• Expected to promote innovation, expand consumer choice, attract investment, and support the Digital Pakistan vision
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has formally notified the Policy Framework for Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) services following approval from the Federal Cabinet, aimed at enhancing competition, promoting innovation, and expanding consumer choice in the country’s telecommunications sector.
The new policy allows MVNOs to offer nationwide mobile and next-generation mobile services under their own brand identities by entering commercial agreements with licensed Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), without the need to hold spectrum. Licenses will be issued for an initial period of fifteen years, contingent upon compliance with applicable regulatory requirements. This approach provides a low-entry pathway for new players, encouraging diverse service offerings and investment in innovative technologies.
The PTA stated that the framework is intended to stimulate competition in Pakistan’s mobile market, improve the quality of services, and provide consumers with more affordable and diversified options. By opening the sector to non-traditional telecom operators, the government aims to catalyse the development of new service models, including data-centric, content-driven, and value-added services that could reach underserved areas of the country.
The policy is expected to attract both domestic and foreign investment while creating employment opportunities in technology, operations, and customer service. Analysts note that the MVNO model has the potential to transform Pakistan’s mobile industry by increasing choice, driving price competitiveness, and accelerating the adoption of advanced mobile technologies, including 5G, Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, and digital payment platforms.
According to a senior PTA official, the move aligns with Pakistan’s broader “Digital Pakistan” vision, which seeks to enhance connectivity, promote digital literacy, and make mobile services more accessible and inclusive. The official added that enabling MVNOs is a critical step toward modernising the telecommunications ecosystem and supporting sustainable economic growth through digital innovation.
The PTA plans to initiate the licensing process shortly. A detailed MVNO license template will be developed and issued in accordance with the approved policy framework, specifying regulatory obligations, service quality requirements, and operational standards. This will ensure that MVNOs operate within a transparent and structured regulatory environment while protecting consumer interests.
The announcement comes amid global trends of MVNOs successfully expanding market reach and consumer choice in multiple regions. By allowing operators without spectrum holdings to enter the market, Pakistan hopes to leverage private-sector expertise and innovation to complement traditional MNO services, creating a more competitive and dynamic telecom sector.
Industry stakeholders have welcomed the initiative, highlighting that the MVNO framework could promote collaboration between technology providers, content creators, and telecom operators. This could accelerate the deployment of innovative digital services, including AI-driven applications, cloud-based communications, and integrated mobile solutions for both urban and rural populations.
With this policy, Pakistan joins a growing list of countries encouraging MVNO participation to diversify service offerings, improve consumer access, and foster technological innovation. The government’s move underscores its commitment to a competitive, inclusive, and digitally empowered telecommunications sector.
Mobile Virtual Network Operators are companies that provide mobile services to customers without owning the physical network infrastructure or spectrum. Instead, they lease network capacity from existing licensed mobile operators and offer services under their own brand, often with unique pricing, marketing strategies, and value-added offerings. MVNOs can range from small niche providers to large-scale operators, and globally, they have been instrumental in increasing competition, reducing costs, and enhancing consumer choice in mobile markets.
