Teams are inspecting batteries, generators and solar systems at telecom towers to help maintain mobile services during power outages.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has begun physical inspections of power backup arrangements at telecom towers across the country to help maintain mobile services during electricity outages.
Teams from PTA’s zonal offices in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Quetta, Abbottabad, Peshawar, Multan, Faisalabad and Muzaffarabad have started visiting telecom towers in both urban and rural areas within their respective zones.
During the inspections, PTA teams are checking the availability and condition of backup power systems, including batteries, generators and solar power installations. Particular attention is being given to locations affected by load shedding, where power disruptions can affect the continuity and quality of mobile services.
The inspections are aimed at identifying potential gaps in backup arrangements and helping ensure that telecom infrastructure remains operational when the main electricity supply is interrupted.
Local representatives and their nominees are accompanying PTA teams during the visits. Their involvement is intended to help identify areas where mobile signals become weak or where services become unavailable during power outages.
The exercise is expected to provide the regulator with a clearer picture of the challenges faced by telecom users in areas experiencing frequent electricity disruptions. Weak backup arrangements at telecom towers can affect network availability, potentially resulting in reduced coverage or interruptions in mobile connectivity.
PTA Chairman Maj. Gen. Hafeez Ur Rehman (Retired), HI (M), SI, has directed the authority’s zonal offices to continue conducting the inspections regularly.
The ongoing checks cover telecom infrastructure in a number of major cities as well as rural areas, reflecting the need to maintain connectivity beyond densely populated locations.
Reliable backup power remains an important requirement for telecom operators, particularly in areas where load shedding or other electricity disruptions are frequent. By monitoring batteries, generators and solar systems at tower sites, the regulator is seeking to support the continuity of mobile communication during such outages.
The inspections also provide an opportunity to identify locations where network performance is particularly affected by power interruptions and where additional measures may be required.
The PTA’s latest move comes as mobile connectivity remains an important part of communication, digital services and economic activity across Pakistan, making uninterrupted network availability increasingly important during electricity disruptions.