Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has granted six months permission to mobile operators for conducting test and trial of 5G technology under limited environment and non-commercial basis.
According to PTA, in line with the policy directive of the government of Pakistan, the PTA has issued "Framework for Test and Development of Future Technologies (Particularly Fifth Generation (5G) Wireless Networks in Pakistan)" in June 2019 for facilitating testing/trial only of 5G technology and related services in Pakistan. As a follow-up of the above mentioned policy directions, the PTA has granted six months permission to PMCL (Jazz) and CMPak (Zong) to conduct test and trial of 5G technology under limited environment. The permission is limited to testing purpose only on non-commercial basis.
The PTA always supports and encourages introduction of new technologies and enhanced services. However, any impression given beyond the stated purpose by any cellular mobile operator (CMO) would be considered misleading and may invoke appropriate regulatory action. Commercial launch of 5th Generation services in Pakistan would be done in due course following a process involving policy directions by the government of Pakistan and necessary regulatory approvals.
The PTA's framework for test and development of future technologies, particularly 5G wireless networks, enables the use of radio spectrum on trial basis for non-commercial purposes to carry out trials for innovative use of radio frequency spectrum, apparatus/equipment and academic purposes including but not limited to scientific research, radio concepts and new systems demonstrations.
The rapid growth in mobile data traffic and consumer demand for enhanced mobile broadband experience have led to an increasing emphasis on the upcoming fifth generation of mobile technology (5G). Seen as a comprehensive wireless-access solution with the capacity to address the demands and requirements of mobile communication for IMT-2020 and beyond, it is projected that this technology will operate in a highly heterogeneous environment and provide ubiquitous connectivity for a wide range of devices, new applications and use cases.
The scope of IMT-2020 is much broader than the previous generations of mobile broadband communication systems. The ITU's work in developing the specifications for IMT-2020 in close collaboration with the whole gamut of 5G stakeholders is now well underway along with the associated spectrum management and spectrum identification aspects. The IMT-2020 will be a cornerstone for all of the activities related to attaining the goals in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
This framework enables the use of radio spectrum on trial basis for noncommercial purposes to carry out trials for innovative use of radio frequency spectrum, apparatus/equipment and academic purposes including but not limited to scientific research, radio concepts and new systems demonstrations.
The document contains the terms and conditions which will be complied by an entity/organization which intends to conduct trials, demonstrate systems and/or services in Pakistan-based on IMT 2020 for the purpose of demonstrating readiness for new technologies in standalone (SA) and/or non stand alone (NSA) environment including but not limited to identified use cases of EMBB (enhanced mobile broadband), URLLC (ultra reliable and low-latency communications) and MMTC (massive machine type communications) through slicing, orchestration and management techniques, application and use case development, etc, for better spectral efficiency and improved overall user experience.
The Section 4 i.e. "policy directive for test and development of future technologies particularly for Fifth Generation (5G) wireless networks in Pakistan" requires the PTA to issue a framework for temporary test and development licenses/ authorizations which shall include criteria for the provision of authorization, conditions, duration, and other terms and conditions. An entity registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and/or Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), R&D organizations and academic institutions, devices and/or equipment manufacturers, etc, will be eligible to apply for test and development authorization. The applicant will apply for authorization to the PTA in accordance with the checklist of this framework. The PTA will analyze the application and may require any clarification or additional information from the applicant in a timely manner. Once the application is complete in all aspects, the PTA may forward the same to the Frequency Allocation Board (FAB), under the Telecom Act Section 5(2) (c) read with the Section 43(5).
The FAB will assign the spectrum to be used for subject trials as per the act which will become effective from the date of authorization issued by the PTA.
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