PTA Gives Telcos October Deadline to Fix Coverage Issues

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has directed mobile network operators to improve coverage across Rawalpindi and Islamabad by October, with operators ordered to eliminate existing coverage gaps and improve service quality.

The authority has instructed operators to ensure better mobile network coverage across all sectors and surrounding areas of Islamabad, as well as all parts of Rawalpindi.

PTA has also ordered operators to ensure coverage along major roads, including Kashmir Highway and Islamabad Expressway, along with other routes in the two cities.

The PTA has directed mobile operators to install new mobile sites where necessary to address coverage gaps.

Operators have also been instructed to deploy new sites alongside the rollout of new 5G spectrum bands to improve network coverage.

The authority said connectivity in Rawalpindi and Islamabad must be improved and gave mobile companies a clear direction to address coverage problems within the October deadline.

PTA will continue to monitor mobile network coverage in the two cities.

Its teams are scheduled to visit different areas of Rawalpindi and Islamabad next week to assess mobile network performance and identify coverage issues.

The authority said operators that fail to improve service quality could face penalties.

The latest directions are aimed at improving mobile connectivity across residential areas, surrounding localities and major roads in the Rawalpindi-Islamabad region.