The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has proposed making it mandatory for Internet of Things (IoT) and Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) service providers to register all their network gateways.

The proposal is part of the draft IoT and LPWAN Licensing Regulations 2026, which seek to bring IoT network infrastructure under a formal registration and monitoring system.

Under the proposed rules, every registration holder and license holder would have to register each gateway through PTA’s online portal or another mechanism specified by the authority. The requirement would apply to both private IoT network operators and companies providing licensed IoT-LPWAN services.

Existing Operators Get 90 Days to Register Gateways

LPWAN operators holding licenses issued before the new regulations take effect would be given 90 days to register their gateways through PTA’s online portal.

Their existing licenses would be treated as issued under the new regulations for the remaining validity period, provided they comply with the proposed requirements.

No Annual Fee Proposed for Gateway Registration

PTA has proposed that gateway registration carry no annual fee. However, operators would have to provide detailed technical and operational information for every installation.

The proposed registration form would require details including the gateway’s make and model, PTA type approval, frequency range, radio frequency output power, antenna type and height, installation address, and GPS coordinates.

Operators would also have to disclose the installation environment, purpose of deployment, expected number of connected devices, backhaul type, coverage radius, and quality of service parameters being monitored.

The draft regulations would also empower PTA to inspect gateway installation sites and revoke authorization in case of regulatory violations.

The proposed rules will come into force after their notification in the official gazette.