Key Takeaways
- Pakistan proposes new rules to require dominant telecom operators to share networks.
- The draft framework aims to promote competition and expand network coverage.
- The regulator will have the power to impose roaming obligations on operators with significant market power.
Pakistan is set to tighten competition rules in the telecom sector, with a new draft framework that would require dominant operators to share their networks with competitors. The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication has proposed the Telecommunication Competition Rules, 2026, which would empower the regulator to impose roaming obligations on operators with Significant Market Power (SMP).
Under the draft, the regulator could mandate national roaming access where necessary to promote competition, expand network coverage, protect consumers, and improve the use of telecom infrastructure. The proposed obligations would have to be imposed on fair, reasonable, transparent, and non-discriminatory terms.
The regulator would also determine the technical feasibility, operational scope, and duration of roaming arrangements. It would have enforcement powers, including issuing directions, requiring corrective measures, imposing proportionate regulatory obligations, and initiating proceedings under the relevant law. The regulator would also be able to adjudicate disputes arising under the proposed framework.
The draft framework would establish a sector-specific competition framework for telecommunications while preserving the jurisdiction of the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) under the Competition Act, 2010. Recent PTA proposals have suggested a 25 percent market share as an initial trigger for assessing SMP, alongside other factors such as market concentration, spectrum holdings, essential infrastructure, financial strength, network effects, and barriers to entry.
The proposed rules aim to enhance competition and ensure fair access to telecom infrastructure. By requiring dominant operators to share their networks, the government hopes to improve service quality and expand network coverage, ultimately benefiting consumers. The draft framework is expected to provide a clear and enforceable mechanism for the regulator to address issues related to market dominance and ensure a level playing field in the telecom sector.
The new rules would require applicants to pay fees prescribed under Schedule I, replacing the existing reference to ‘reasonable fees.’ This move is part of a broader effort to modernize telecom regulations and promote a more competitive market environment. The draft framework is currently under review and is expected to be finalized in the coming months.
