The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet approved the Telecommunications Policy 2015 on Friday in a meeting chaired by Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar.

The Telecommunications Policy 2015 is aimed to transform Pakistan into an economically vibrant and knowledge-based middle-income country by 2025.


This will be achieved through universally available, affordable and quality telecommunication services provided via open, competitive and well-managed markets.

The policy targets the six principles of regulatory mechanisms: Market driven, appropriate regulation, forward-looking, accelerated digitization, Universal access and Government intervention where necessary.

The Telecommunications Policy 2015 aims to achieve nine different goals in areas of telecommunication market and services, broadband services, telecommunications infrastructure, spectrum, telecommunications law and regulation, use of telecommunications services, universal service funding, research and development through the National ICT R&D Fund and satellite telecommunications.

It covered some new elements and upgraded previous areas such as Competition Rules, Licensing framework, Termination or transfer of a telecom business, Single Mobility for LL Licensees, VoIP and other Over-the-Top (OTT) services, Peering and exchange points, Cross-border point to point (bilateral) links, Right of Way for Telecom and Backhaul Infrastructure, Content Management, Lawful Interception and Policy Review and Implementation.

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“The policy includes various new elements like competition framework, spectrum strategy, spectrum sharing, satellite communication, Over the Top services, convergence etc., which were not present in earlier policies,” a statement released to the media said.

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Some of the amazing features of the policy which includes the provision of public WiFi hot spots for commercial use, based on international standards and National Disaster Telecommunication Plan for the provision of smooth telecommunication services before, during and after a national disaster or emergency. The competition framework is expected to make telecom sector more efficient while satellite communication is believed to boost its growth. The 54-page policy also appreciates the phenomena of convergence related to the delivery of diverse services belonging to the domains of telecom, media and data services.

The competitive framework is expected to make telecom sector more efficient while satellite communication is believed to boost its growth. The 54-page policy also appreciates the phenomena of convergence related to the delivery of diverse services belonging to the domains of telecom, media and data services.

The 54-page policy also appreciates the phenomena of convergence related to the delivery of diverse services belonging to the domains of telecom, media and data services.