Pakistan's PTA proposes 10-year radio licences decided in 15 working days

Pakistan's PTA proposes 10-year radio licences decided in 15 working days

19 October 2026: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has published draft Radio Based Services (RBS) Licensing Regulations 2026, which would give licences a ten-year term and require the regulator to decide on a complete application within 15 working days. Businesses that run private radio networks, microwave links or satellite terminals, and the integrators who set them up, can send comments to rbs@pta.gov.pk on PTA's proforma until 4 November 2026.

Not yet independently verified. This is a draft that takes effect only once notified in the gazette, and we have not reproduced its fee schedule (Annex-A), which should be read on the draft itself. We will update this when it can be confirmed, and remove this note.

Who needs a radio licence

Radio based services are the licensed uses of spectrum outside the mobile networks. The draft's categories include private radio networks (PRN), aircraft and maritime mobile stations and amateur radio, and ProPakistani's reading of it lists the services as VHF land mobile private networks, microwave links, mobile satellite applications and mobile satellite services. In practice that is the push-to-talk systems of security firms, utilities, factories and logistics yards, the point-to-point microwave hops that link sites where fibre does not reach, and satellite terminals used for remote operations and backup connectivity.

What would change

• PTA would have to communicate its grant or refusal within 15 working days of a complete application; for a private radio network licence that clock depends on the Frequency Allocation Board assigning a frequency.
• Licences would run for ten years, except a junior amateur radio licence, and could be renewed for another ten if the licensee applies within the set timelines and has cleared all dues.
• Licences are described as open, non-discriminatory and non-exclusive. Applicants need SECP or other registration and clearance of all PTA dues.
• Private radio network licensees would pay annual RBS charges in advance by 30 June each year, without waiting for a demand note. Application, initial licence and annual fees are set out in an annex to the draft.

The regulations take effect when notified in the official gazette; the notification number and date are blank in the draft.

Comments and the other open consultation

The draft is item 121 on PTA's consultation list, filed on 19 October, and comments go by email in soft form using the attached proforma. The item above it on the same list, PTA's draft International Roaming (Inbound) Regulations 2026, is open for comments until 10 November. Companies that hold PRN or microwave licences today should compare the renewal and advance-payment terms against their current licence before the 4 November deadline, since those are the clauses most likely to change their costs and paperwork.

Sources

• Pakistan Telecommunication Authority: consultation papers, item 121, Draft RBS Regulations 2026 (read 2026-10-23), 23 October 2026
• Pakistan Telecommunication Authority: RBS Licensing Regulations 2026, final draft for comments, 19 October 2026
• ProPakistani: PTA proposes major rule changes for satellite, radio and microwave services, 21 October 2026
• ProPakistani: PTA to process radio licence applications quickly, 22 October 2026