Under the Telecom Policy 2015, a comprehensive incentive package for attracting joint ventures, public-private partnerships and direct investment in telecom sector will be developed. According to the policy, the Ministry of Information Technology (MoIT) will assess the feasibility of domestic production of telecommunication equipment with a specific focus on national assets and other strengths that can be exploited.
The assessment will determine the area in the supply chain of equipment manufacturing where Pakistan should operate and whether and how it should cooperate with existing equipment manufacturers. The new policy has made the Long Distance and International (LDI) licensees eligible for establishing cross-border communication links with other countries.
In the interest of quick rollout of services and to achieve the objectives related to provision of universal service, national roaming will be encouraged in accordance with mobile license terms. Mobile licensees will be encouraged to offer nation-wide service as expeditiously as possible at mutually acceptable terms. Licensees that are designated as SMP in a relevant market under the Competition Rules will be required to introduce national roaming on a fair and non-discriminatory basis.
According to the policy, such links may be established using fixed wire line, terrestrial wireless, submarine cables or satellite technologies subject to approval by PTA and if necessary, by relevant authorities in the neighbouring country, based on the following criteria:
a) Any bilateral links will be terminated at a legally established peering point or landing station in Pakistan.
b) Prior approval will be obtained for any spectrum used from FAB in Pakistan and the relevant regulatory authority of the neighbouring state where the cross-border link terminates.
c) The ITU prescribed regime will be used for cross-border interference protection in relation to any wireless communication to prevent interference on both sides of the border by FAB.
d) Prior approval will be obtained for any proposed use of satellite communication by respective operators from relevant authorities.
e) If on the onward route, the communication link is to be part of any international cable system, the details and legal arrangements of such participation will be made available to the PTA by the applicant. In such a case, a clear roadmap for establishing connectivity with a credible International Partner Consortium at a well-established Point of Presence at the far end will be provided.
f) All security related requirements (eg LI compliance) as specified by the PTA in consultation with the security agencies will be complied with. The PTA will facilitate the process for approving/issuance of NOC for establishment of cross-border links. The requests will be evaluated by already established committee comprising the Chairman of the PTA, and a representative from each of the following: Ministry of the Interior, Cabinet Division, Ministry of IT, and Security Agencies. The approval/NOC or denial of a request for a cross-border link will be granted in a timely manner ensuring that in any case it may not exceed six weeks.
In case of change of ownership of a licensee that operates bilateral links, prior clearance from PTA will be required, and where ownership includes foreign nationals, clearance should be provided in consultation with the security agencies.
Long distance carriers will be allowed to enter into international transit agreements with operators from other countries subject to approval by PTA on a case by case basis. If traffic through the bilateral link is to be transited out of Pakistan, both on forward and reverse link, clear declaration of the entry and exit points and the size/capacity of the interfaces at such entry and exit points, is required to be made available by the involved Pakistani LDI licensee.
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