2020

Consultation Paper

Future of Wireless Local Loop

Regime in Pakistan
 Future of Wireless Local Loop Regime in
Pakistan
1. Introduction

1.1 Wireless Local Loop (WLL) regime was introduced in Pakistan in 2004 in
accordance with the De-Regulation Policy 2003 with spectrum assignments in
450 MHz, 479 MHz, 1900 MHz and 3.5 GHz bands. WLL licenses were
distinguished from mobile cellular licenses through geographical and mobility
restriction; regional licenses with single cell mobility. The frequency spectrum
of WLL licensees shall expire in 2024. An overview of the licensees is attached
below:

Sr.
Company Name Regions Frequency Bands
No

450 MHz, 1900 Hz

1 PTCL 14 Regions
and 3.5 GHz
2 DV Com Data (Pvt.) Ltd 9 Regions 1900 MHz
450 MHz, 479
3 World Call Telecom Limited 14 Regions MHz, 1900 MHz
and 3.5 GHz
Wi-Tribe Pakistan (Pvt.)
4 14 Regions 3.5 GHz
Limited
5 Wateen WiMax (Pvt.) Limited 14 Regions 3.5 GHz

6 LinkDot NET (Pvt.) Limited 12 Regions 3.5 GHz

Cyber Internet Services (Pvt.) ITR, LTR &
7 3.5 GHz
Limited KTR
8 Mytel (Pvt.) Ltd NTR-1 3.5 GHz
9 Metrotel (Pvt.) Ltd GTR 3.5 GHz
10 Super Dialogue (Pvt.) Limited RTR, FTR 3.5 GHz
Sharp Communication (Pvt.)
11 14 Regions 3.5 GHz
Limited

WLL Licenses of following companies are no more operational due to reasons

mentioned against each:

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 Ser. Licensed Remarks
Organization Status
No. Regions
Due to
discontinuation
All of services and
Great Bear Int’l (Pvt.)
1 Fourteen Terminated non-fulfillment
Limited
Regions of rollout
obligations

Ertibatat (Pvt.)
2 NTR-II Cancelled
Limited, Due to non-
Sachal Satellite fulfillment of
3 Communication (Pvt.) STR-I Cancelled rollout
Limited, obligations
Sachal Softec (Pvt.)
4 STR-V Cancelled
Limited
Frequency Upon licensee’s
5 Telecard Limited All regions request
withdrawn

2. Evolution of WLL Services in Pakistan

2.1 A total of 93 WLL licenses were issued to 18 companies in 2004 for various
regions of Pakistan in frequency bands of 450, 479, 1900 and 3500 MHz. Some
of the operators failed to complete initial mandatory roll-out obligations
despite grant of extension in timelines and hence their respective licenses were
cancelled/terminated. PTCL, Telecard and WorldCall had a combined
subscriber base of around 2.4 Million in 2008-09 which kept on improving till
2012-13. Wi-Tribe, Wateen and Sharp also made some impact during this time
frame. However, since 2012-13 there has been a constant decline due to
extensive roll out by the mobile operators.

2.2 Some of the operators have multiple frequencies assignment in their licensed
regions. Now even with termination of licenses and Telecard becoming FLL
operator, there are still ten (10) operators with eighty (80) licenses. However,
the subscriber base is on a constant decline.

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2.3 Market share of CMOs in comparison with non-cellular operators can be seen
in below chart:

By the end of July 2020, total number of broadband subscribers in Pakistan

were around 83 Million and Mobile broadband subscription stood at 81
Million. The presence of non-cellular operators in general and WLL operators
in particular is negligible in comparison with Cellular operators.

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3. Future of WLL Regime

Since the introduction of WLL regime in Pakistan in 2004, there have been
enormous technological developments aimed at efficient utilization of the
scarce resource i.e. frequency spectrum. Some of the spectrum bands assigned
to WLL operators have already been identified for higher value mobile
broadband services like 2100/1900 MHz and also for 5G i.e. 3.5 GHz. The most
important being 3.5 GHz band wherein 5G network is deployed in many
countries. In Pakistan as well, MoIT&T has issued Policy Directive for “Test
and Development of Future Technologies Particularly for Fifth Generation (5G)
Wireless Networks in Pakistan” wherein spectrum in 2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz has
been identified. PTA accordingly published a “Framework for Test and
Development of Future Technologies Particularly for Fifth Generation (5G)
Wireless Networks in Pakistan, in line with GoP Policy Directive. CMPak
(Zong), PMCL (Jazz) and Telenor have conducted 5G trials in 2.6 GHz and 3.5
GHz spectrum while PTCL & Ufone joint trial is under process.

As the frequency assignments shall expire in 2024, there is a need to have clarity
on future of WLL regime so as to allow WLLOs ample time to prepare their
business plans. The same requires in depth analysis of performance of WLLOs
over the years, challenges and opportunities, best regulatory practises for
efficient utilization of frequency spectrum, etc. In order to come up with a
solution that is in the best interest of the country, detailed comments of the
stake holders are invited on the following questions:

Question Number 1

What type of performance/service delivery was expected from WLL operators

and how did they actually perform?

Question Number 2

What were the regulatory, technical and financial impediments that affected
WLL business adversely?

Question Number 3

How can the WLL operators sustain their business up to 2024?

Question Number 4

Does it make a business case for WLL operators to continue operations beyond
2024 if the circumstances remain the same?

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 Question Number 5

What could be the possible scenarios for return of WLL spectrum, prior to
expiry date i.e. 2024, by interested operators?

Question Number 6

What is the suggested regulatory regime beyond 2024 to safeguard WLL

business while ensuring efficient spectrum utilization as well as maintaining
distinction from cellular mobile/NGMS services?

Question Number 7

Keeping in view identification of certain bands for IMT 2020 and beyond, what
could be the best utilization of existing WLL frequency bands i.e. 450, 479, 1900
and 3500 MHz?

Question No. 8

What are the preferred frequency bands for continued operation beyond 2024
if bands identified for IMT in Pakistan (2600 & 3500 MHz) are excluded? Any
interest in mmWave spectrum for fixed use cases? What would be the
minimum bandwidth requirement for each suggested band?

Question Number 9

Could there be a possibility of mixed-use cases for fixed wireless and mobile
services in any of the frequency bands acquired through auction process e.g.
FWA service through Virtual Network Operator Model if spectrum is held by
CMOs?

Question No. 10

Current WLL licensing regime is on regional basis. Should any new regime be
maintained as region wise or changed to single nation-wide licensing?

4. How to respond:

The stakeholders are requested to respond back to this consultation by 15th

October, 2020. All responses should be sent electronically to DD (WLL) PTA
HQs at mudassar@pta.gov.pk with a copy to Director General (Strategy and
development) PTA HQs at imad@pta.gov.pk

Any comments received after 15th October, 2020 would not be considered.

PTA assures the stakeholder that all the comments received would be analyzed
and would be duly considered while preparing recommendation for future of
WLL regime.

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