By Uzma Sahar 
Pakistan is moving closer to opening its telecom sector to a new generation of service providers, as the Ministry of Information Technology has forwarded the long-awaited Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) licensing framework to the federal cabinet for final approval. The development marks a major milestone in the country’s digital expansion strategy and is viewed as a crucial step in preparing for the launch of 5G services expected in the first quarter of next year.
Officials confirmed that the framework had been pending for nearly a year. PTA initially submitted the revised MVNO plan to the Ministry of IT in November of last year, followed by extensive consultations with international MVNO companies. The Ministry of Law and Justice has now completed its legal review, clearing the path for the policy to proceed to the cabinet.
One of the most significant components of the new policy is a drastic reduction in the MVNO license feeāfrom USD 5 million to just USD 140,000. This change is intended to attract a broader range of investors and make market entry more accessible for both local and foreign companies. The license tenure has been extended to 15 years, offering long-term stability and encouraging telecom sector investment.
Under the proposed structure, MVNOs will operate without owning physical network infrastructure. Instead, they will lease capacity from existing mobile network operators while managing their own branding, marketing, customer service and product design. All agreements between MVNOs and host operators will require prior approval from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to ensure regulatory compliance.
Once the cabinet grants final authorization, PTA will begin accepting applications and issuing licenses after completing all remaining procedural requirements.
Officials believe the arrival of MVNOs will introduce more competition, foster innovation and broaden consumer choice. The model is also expected to support telecom companies preparing for 5G rollout, as operators acquiring new spectrum will have the option to lease additional network capacity to MVNOs. This, they say, will encourage investment and expand service offerings at a time when Pakistan is preparing to shift toward next-generation connectivity.
With the framework now entering its final stage of approval, Pakistan appears poised to welcome a wave of digital service providers that can operate without building costly infrastructure, potentially reshaping the telecom landscape in the years ahead.