Govt Plans Tougher Telecom Competition Rules, Wider PTA Powers
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✧ GENERATE BRIEFING
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) has drafted the Telecommunication Competition Rules, 2026, introducing a rigorous sector-specific competition framework designed to empower the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). Under the proposed guidelines, the regulator would gain sweeping authority to mandate national roaming obligations on operators possessing Significant Market Power (SMP), ensuring fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory network sharing. To qualify for SMP designations, the framework outlines a baseline 25% market-share threshold alongside comprehensive assessments of spectrum holdings, infrastructure control, network effects, and financial strength. Furthermore, the draft provisions expand PTA’s operational mandate to adjudicate industry disputes, enforce corrective compliance measures, and conduct regular dynamic reviews of evolving telecom and digital package markets. Crucially, while the rules establish a specialized telecommunication regulatory regime, they explicitly operate without prejudice to the statutory jurisdiction of the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) under the Competition Act, 2010—addressing historical inter-agency jurisdictional ambiguities as the domestic market consolidates and gears up for large-scale 5G deployment.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication has proposed a tougher competition framework for the telecom sector that could allow the regulator to impose national roaming obligations on operators with Significant Market Power (SMP).
The proposals are contained in the draft Telecommunication Competition Rules, 2026, aimed at creating a sector-specific framework for competition while giving greater weight to consumer welfare, market efficiency and competitive impact.
Under the draft rules, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) could require an operator with SMP to provide national roaming where necessary to promote competition, expand network coverage, protect consumers or make more efficient use of telecom infrastructure.
Any national roaming arrangement would have to be offered on fair, reasonable, transparent and non-discriminatory terms. The PTA would also determine the technical feasibility, operational scope and duration of such arrangements.
Regulatory Enforcement and Dispute Adjudication
The proposed framework would also expand the PTA’s enforcement powers. Where an operator violates the rules, the authority could issue directions, require corrective measures, impose proportionate regulatory obligations or initiate proceedings under the relevant law.
The PTA would additionally be empowered to adjudicate disputes arising under the proposed framework. In making decisions, it could consider market efficiency, consumer welfare, proportionality, technical feasibility and the impact on competition.
The draft specifically states that the proposed telecom competition regime would operate without prejudice to the jurisdiction of the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) under the Competition Act, 2010. This is significant given the long-running jurisdictional dispute between the MoITT, PTA and CCP over competition regulation in the telecom sector.
Market Consolidation and SMP Thresholds
The proposed rules come as Pakistan’s telecom market undergoes consolidation and prepares for wider 5G deployment, increasing the importance of network access, spectrum concentration and infrastructure sharing.
Recent PTA proposals have also suggested a 25% market-share threshold as an initial trigger for SMP assessment, alongside factors including market concentration, spectrum holdings, essential infrastructure, financial strength, network effects and barriers to entry.
If implemented, the framework could place greater regulatory obligations on dominant telecom operators while potentially improving network access, coverage and competition for consumers. The proposals remain part of a draft regulatory framework and are not yet final rules.
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