The completion of PTML’s acquisition of Telenor Pakistan could pave the way for higher mobile tariffs, with industry sources expecting the merged company to approach the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for a pricing revision in the coming months.
Sources told ProPakistani that PTML, which operates Ufone, has become Pakistan’s largest mobile operator by subscriber market share following the merger. They said the company’s strengthened market position could improve its chances of securing regulatory approval for higher tariffs.
According to sources, if the PTA approves revised tariffs for the merged operator, rival telecom companies are also likely to seek similar increases, resulting in higher package prices across the industry.
Industry observers point to the 2016 merger of Mobilink and Warid as a precedent. After Jazz emerged as the country’s largest mobile operator, consumers witnessed increases in call, SMS, and internet package prices. The tariff adjustments later became the subject of regulatory reviews and public scrutiny, although the operator maintained that higher operating costs, a sharply depreciating rupee, and heavy taxation on the telecom sector necessitated the revisions.
The PTML-Telenor merger was finalized after the Islamabad High Court approved the amalgamation last week. With the transaction now complete, Telenor Pakistan has ceased to exist as a separate legal entity, with all of its assets, liabilities, rights, and obligations transferred to PTML.
No tariff revision has been announced or submitted for approval so far. However, industry sources believe the merged operator is likely to seek higher tariffs as it consolidates its position as Pakistan’s largest mobile network, a move that could influence pricing across the broader telecom market if approved by the PTA.
