Pakistan plans to tighten competition rules for the telecom sector, with the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication proposing the Telecommunication Competition Rules, 2026. The regulator might mandate that an operator holding Significant Market Power (SMP) provide national roaming where necessary to improve competition, expand network coverage, protect consumers, or enhance the use of telecom infrastructure.
These proposed obligations must adhere to terms that are fair, reasonable, transparent, and non-discriminatory. Furthermore, the regulator would determine the technical viability, operational scope, and time limit for any roaming arrangements.
The draft rules grant the regulator enforcement powers, including the ability to issue directions, demand corrective actions, impose proportionate regulatory obligations, and start proceedings under the relevant law. These proposed regulations will establish a specific competition structure for telecommunications while keeping the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) within its authority under the Competition Act, 2010.
Additionally, the draft suggests that applicants must pay fees set out in Schedule I, replacing the current reference to merely “reasonable fees.” PTA proposals indicated that a 25 percent market share could serve as an initial trigger when assessing Significant Market Power.
