PTA revises IoT and SRD regulations to boost nationwide ecosystem

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has revised its regulatory framework for Internet of Things (IoT) and Short Range Devices (SRD), aiming to accelerate the development of a nationwide IoT ecosystem through both licensed and shared frequency bands.

The updated framework provides detailed guidelines for IoT service provisioning, with a strong focus on the use of shared and unlicensed spectrum for Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN) on a non-interference, non-protection basis. PTA said the move aligns with international best practices and the government’s vision for digital transformation.

Under the revised policy, IoT and SRD services are categorized based on spectrum usage. Services using licensed or exclusively assigned frequency bands may be offered by Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs) and other licensees under existing license conditions. Mission-critical IoT services will continue to operate only on licensed spectrum.

For shared and unlicensed bands, IoT, SRD and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) devices will be license-exempt, provided they comply with technical limits, type approval requirements, and operate strictly on a secondary, non-interference basis. Any device found causing harmful interference to primary services must immediately cease operation.

A key feature of the framework is the introduction of a new LPWAN license category. Issued under the Class Value-Added Services (CVAS) regime, the license will allow operators to provide long-range IoT services using shared spectrum bands specified by PTA. Licensees will be required to register gateways, comply with health and safety regulations, share network details with the regulator, and ensure that backend traffic is routed through PTA-licensed local access providers.

The framework also places restrictions on data localization, barring the storage of IoT data outside Pakistan without PTA approval, and empowers the authority to suspend services on national security grounds.

To encourage innovation, PTA has allowed test and trial deployments for research and development without an LPWAN license for up to six months, subject to strict conditions and non-commercial use.

PTA stated that the revised framework is designed to enable innovation while ensuring spectrum efficiency, interference-free operations, and regulatory oversight, paving the way for smart cities, industrial automation, and other IoT-driven applications across Pakistan.