ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has directed telecom companies to stop increasing mobile package prices on a monthly basis, officials said. From now on, price hikes will only be allowed quarterly.
Authorities explained that previously, telecom operators used to raise package prices every month. Under the new rules, companies may increase prices by 10–20% compared to last year’s rates, but only after seeking approval from the PTA.
The move comes following complaints from consumers. The Mobile Tariff Regulations 2025 have been enforced to ensure a structured and balanced tariff system for the telecom sector.
Officials stressed that telecom companies are now required to obtain prior approval from PTA before launching new packages or increasing prices on existing ones.
A PTA spokesperson highlighted that the authority is keeping a close watch on both consumer protection and the stability of the telecom market. Pakistan currently has the lowest average revenue per user (ARPU) in the region, though it has increased over the past few years.
The PTA also noted that the launch of 5G services is expected to further improve ARPU. Additionally, the upcoming spectrum auction is likely to enhance network coverage, performance, and data speeds nationwide.
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