After years of delays, Pakistan’s long-awaited framework for Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) is finally set to be presented to the federal cabinet for final approval. The move follows a thorough review by the Ministry of Law and Justice and the incorporation of feedback from the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication.
The final version of the MVNO framework has been prepared and is ready for cabinet consideration—a significant milestone in a process that has faced repeated setbacks.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had finalized the MVNO framework in June 2024 after extensive consultations with industry stakeholders. Notably, the revised draft slashed the MVNO license fee from $5 million to $140,000 and extended the license term to 15 years, a move designed to attract new entrants to the telecom sector.
The updated framework was shared with the IT Ministry in February 2025 and subsequently sent to the Law Division, which provided its feedback in April. All recommendations have now been incorporated ahead of the cabinet submission.
MVNOs operate by leasing network capacity from existing Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) while managing their own branding, marketing, and customer service. They are required to sign commercial agreements with MNOs, subject to PTA approval. The framework aims to expand mobile services and boost competition in the telecom market, but its implementation has been stalled by the lengthy approval process.
With the framework now heading to the federal cabinet, officials expect approval to pave the way for the PTA to begin accepting MVNO applications. Once legal formalities are completed, the licensing process and compliance checks will commence, allowing new players to launch their services in Pakistan’s telecom market.
The delay in the MVNO framework comes as the telecom sector faces other unresolved issues. While the government had previously announced plans to launch 5G services by June 2025, the timeline remains uncertain due to the pending Competition Commission decision on the Telenor-Ufone merger.
Industry analysts note that while the MVNO framework is finally progressing, its ultimate impact will depend on how efficiently remaining procedural hurdles are cleared and how broader sector reforms are managed.
