The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued Internet of Things (IoT) licenses to 23 companies, marking a major step toward expanding digital infrastructure and next-generation connectivity in Pakistan.
The regulator has introduced Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) licensing specifically for IoT services, opening new opportunities for smart technologies across multiple sectors.
These include:
- Smart cities
- Industrial automation
- Agriculture and farming technology
- Logistics and supply chain systems
- Environmental monitoring
- Energy management
Officials say the move reflects growing interest from both local and international companies in Pakistan’s digital ecosystem.
PTA has been working on this framework since 2022, allowing companies to apply for IoT licenses through an online system under defined technical and regulatory standards. The framework specifies frequency bands, operational guidelines, and security requirements for service providers.
To ensure compliance, PTA has also conducted field inspections and surveys of licensed operators and has proposed improvements based on performance assessments. It has additionally released a consultation paper to gather industry feedback on IoT and short-range device regulations.
Under the current structure, companies receive a 10-year district-level license with an initial fee of Rs. 300,000 and an annual fee of Rs. 100,000. Operators must also comply with strict data privacy, security, and frequency usage rules, including the 865–868 MHz band for LPWAN services.
Officials say this licensing framework is designed to promote secure, scalable, and interference-free IoT connectivity and help position Pakistan as a more competitive player in the global digital economy.
