The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has begun a massive upgrade of its network infrastructure and digital services to ensure they are more stable, reliable, secure, and perform well.
The upgrade activity is scheduled to take place between 5:00 PM on June 24, 2026 and 6:00 AM on June 25, 2026, as per an official statement. You may encounter some interruptions or brief periods of service during this time due to the Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) that is used to register mobile devices online.
PTA said that it’s technical teams are always on the case to keep impact on users to a minimum and services fully restored as soon as possible during the upgrade.
The authority also expressed its appreciation to the stakeholders and users for their cooperation and understanding in the critical activity of maintenance and enhancement of the network.
PTA opens Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) licensing
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has now opened applications to grant Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) Licenses across the country.
Businesses can apply for the MVNO licenses under the approved policy framework and PTA licensing requirements.
Services would then be offered by business entities under their own brand. This would be carried out with the support of agreements with licensed mobile network operators.
The MVNO licenses will be issued for a period of 15 years. They will come under applicable regulatory terms and conditions.
According to official requirements, MVNOs must provide a copy of license issued by PTA.
The interested MVNO will also have to provide a copy of the agreement signed with the Mobile Network Operator (MNO) to the PTA.
What does the MVNO license do?
An MVNO license allows a company to not only launch but also operate its own mobile telecom brand.
The operator can then design their very own service plans along with packages.
Those businesses applying for a license may also be allowed to install and manage their own customer care centers.
Other services would include billing systems and IT solutions.
For more details on eligibility and how to apply, visit PTA’s official website.
Also read: Fact check: Is govt planning to collect PTA phone tax in monthly installments?
