Senate body orders probe into telecom network outages

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication on Thursday ordered a probe into persistent telecom network outages and directed authorities to finalise long-delayed Telecom Competition Rules within one month. The committee also flagged concerns over reported unauthorised use of Starlink in Balochistan, clarifying that no licence has yet been issued in Pakistan and that all legal requirements must be fulfilled before any approval, while directing the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to remain vigilant. The meeting, chaired by Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan, reviewed a range of issues including mobile service disruptions in Lakki Marwat, telecom infrastructure challenges, social media compliance, and the financial performance of Ufone. Lawmakers raised concerns over network degradation, particularly in Lakki Marwat, where PTA’s claim that services were not suspended was contested. Officials attributed disruptions to load shedding and theft of diesel, batteries and solar panels from telecom towers. A sub-committee was formed to investigate outages, including motorway blind spots, and propose remedial measures. On regulatory reforms, the committee was informed that draft Telecom Competition Rules—prepared in line with the 2015 policy and in consultation with the Competition Commission of Pakistan—have been submitted to the Ministry of IT. The chairperson directed that the rules be finalized within one month to ensure a fair and competitive telecom sector. The committee also urged expansion of Pakistan’s satellite constellation to strengthen telecom infrastructure, while PTA informed that operators are required to maintain 95% tower availability. Strict compliance was directed, with a detailed report sought especially for Sindh and Balochistan. On social media, PTA reported improved response rates from Meta platforms to 64 percent from 34 percent, while Twitter/X remains at 27 percent. The committee expressed concern over inconsistent content moderation and directed development of an effective compliance mechanism. Officials said Telecom Tribunals are being established to handle LDI/LFF-related litigation, with directions to expedite the process. On Ufone, the committee was told financial performance had stagnated, though recent spectrum investments have reduced losses. It was clarified that Ufone operates under PTCL and is not a direct government liability. The committee also noted an ongoing $800 million dispute with Etisalat and directed a joint session with the Senate Standing Committee on Privatization. The meeting concluded with a briefing on PTA’s 4G–5G collaborative framework aimed at improving rural connectivity while enabling high-speed services in urban areas. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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