Islamabad, April 8, 2026 – The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has officially approved the long-anticipated merger of Telenor Pakistan into Pak Telecom Mobile Limited, marking one of the most significant consolidations in Pakistan’s telecom sector in recent years. The decision comes with strict regulatory conditions aimed at safeguarding consumers, ensuring fair competition, and maintaining high service quality standards nationwide.
Under the terms of the approval, PTML—operating under the brand name Ufone—will assume full responsibility for all liabilities, obligations, and regulatory commitments of Telenor Pakistan once the merger is finalized. The PTA emphasized that both companies must continue operating independently and fully comply with existing licensing conditions until the legal process of amalgamation is complete.
Strict Regulatory Conditions Imposed
To prevent disruption in the telecom market, the PTA has mandated that franchise and retailer agreements remain unchanged for at least six months after the merger. Customers must also be clearly informed about the merger through nationwide advertisements in Urdu and English newspapers.
Consumer protection measures form a major part of the decision. The PTA has prohibited automatic renewal of subscription packages without explicit user consent and ordered the introduction of a free “balance save service” within 60 days. Additionally, no value-added services (VAS) can be activated without verified customer approval.
Tariff regulation will remain under strict oversight, with PTML required to obtain prior approval before introducing or revising any pricing. The Authority has also banned predatory pricing and cross-subsidization practices to prevent market distortion.
Market Impact and Competition Concerns
The merger follows PTCL’s acquisition of Telenor Pakistan in 2025, bringing both entities under a single corporate structure. The combined company is expected to control approximately 31.7% of market revenue and 35.7% of subscribers, raising concerns about increased market concentration.
To address these concerns, the PTA has imposed strict rules on interconnection, infrastructure sharing, and fair access. The merged entity must provide non-discriminatory access to its network and cannot favor affiliated businesses. All interconnection agreements will require regulatory approval.
Network Integration and Quality Standards
PTML must submit a detailed network integration plan within 60 days to ensure a smooth transition without service disruption. The company is required to maintain or improve existing network coverage, and any dismantling of infrastructure must not reduce service quality. Decommissioned sites must remain available for at least three months for potential use by other operators.
The PTA has also introduced progressive quality benchmarks, requiring mobile internet speeds to reach 20 Mbps within two years, 35 Mbps within four years, and 50 Mbps within nine years.
Spectrum and Consumer Protection
The merged entity will control over 56 MHz of spectrum, but must use it efficiently or risk losing unused allocations. PTA will closely monitor spectrum usage and infrastructure sharing to ensure transparency.
Customers will continue using their existing packages for at least three months after the merger, ensuring a smooth transition. The PTA has also tightened rules on service transparency, requiring clear visibility and easy deactivation of all value-added services.
The approval marks a major shift in Pakistan’s telecom landscape, with the PTA making it clear that while consolidation is permitted, it will not come at the expense of consumer rights or fair competition.