Pakistan clears MVNO framework to expand mobile competition
“Pakistan has approved an MVNO framework that could allow new mobile service providers to enter the market by leasing existing network capacity.”
Key points
- Pakistan has approved an MVNO framework that could allow new mobile service providers to enter the market by leasing existing network capacity.
- The move is expected to boost competition and support broader telecom sector expansion.
Pakistan has approved a framework for Mobile Virtual Network Operators, opening the way for smaller telecom companies to enter the market without building their own nationwide network infrastructure. The announcement was made by IT Minister Shaza Fatima.
According to ProPakistani, MVNOs will be able to lease spectrum and network capacity from established operators, which could lower barriers to entry and increase competition in the telecom sector. Officials said talks have already taken place with companies interested in investing under the new model.
The government also linked the initiative with ongoing plans to improve fiberization, arguing that stronger back-end infrastructure will be necessary to support better service quality and future broadband expansion. The measure complements broader efforts around spectrum allocation and 5G readiness.
If implemented effectively, the framework could widen consumer choice and encourage more competitive pricing in Pakistan’s mobile market. It also signals a policy push toward a more layered telecom ecosystem, where infrastructure owners and service providers can operate more flexibly.
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