PTA fines telecom operators Rs3.41 billion over poor services

Islamabad: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has imposed financial penalties worth Rs 3.41 billion on telecom operators during the last four years due to ongoing complaints about weak mobile internet, poor coverage and service interruptions in different parts of the country.

Official figures provided by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication showed that PTA also issued 86 show cause notices and 20 warning letters during the period.

The figures came in response to a question by MNA Nasim Ali Shah, who asked about action taken against telecom companies providing poor mobile internet and data services.

He also raised complaints concerning Jazz, Ufone and Zong in Bannu district and other less developed areas, where consumers were said to be paying full charges despite weak network coverage and frequent service problems.

Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said PTA had conducted more than 500 Quality of Service surveys during the last four years.

These surveys covered cities, rural areas, highways, motorways and railway corridors. Additionally, PTA carried out more than 200 surveys based on public complaints, bringing the total number of quality and complaint related checks to more than 700.

The ministry said telecom operators are required to maintain service quality according to the terms of their licences.

It said operators charge customers according to advertised tariffs. Some companies also offer regional or location-based packages at lower rates than nationwide packages, depending on commercial conditions and the local market.

However, the government has not proposed a separate policy to impose additional financial penalties on companies for poor service.

The ministry said existing laws already give PTA powers to take action where operators fail to meet required service standards.

These powers are available under the Pakistan Telecommunication Reorganization Act 1996, telecom licences and Cellular Mobile Network Quality of Service Regulations.

PTA can issue warning letters, show cause notices and financial penalties when a company fails to meet its licence or service quality obligations.

The government also said the regulatory system had recently been strengthened through spectrum auction and revised mobile licence conditions.

These conditions include stronger network rollout requirements, installation of additional 4G and 5G sites, higher service quality standards and gradual modernisation of mobile networks.

According to the ministry, these measures are aimed particularly at improving telecom services in underserved and affected areas and increasing operator accountability.

The reply did not announce any special new penalty system specifically for Bannu or other areas mentioned in the question. Instead, the government said individual complaints should include contact details so that the problem can be identified and corrective action taken.

The question and reply were laid before the National Assembly during the 29th session.