ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Limited (PTCL) has received Phase-II approval from the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) to buy Telenor Pakistan.
This is one of the biggest deals in the telecom sector and could bring major changes for mobile users across the country.
PTCL had signed the purchase agreement with Telenor Pakistan BV on August 14, 2024, to buy Telenor Pakistan and Orion Towers.
After the CCP’s detailed review, the deal has now moved a step forward. The Commission said the acquisition meets all rules and does not hurt market competition.
PTCL thanked the CCP for its transparent process and assured users that it will follow all legal requirements as the deal goes ahead.
What this decision means for the common man?
The merger is expected to improve network quality and coverage. Once PTCL’s Ufone network and Telenor’s network are combined, users should see fewer call drops and better signals in many areas.
The company is also expected to offer better packages, quicker service, and more digital options under the government’s Digital Pakistan plan. Users may get improved mobile internet, smoother apps and services, and better support, especially in areas where coverage has been weak.
The deal comes at a time when Pakistan is preparing for its first major 5G auction. After the takeover, Telenor will become a PTCL subsidiary like Ufone.
Experts believe the combined strength of Ufone and Telenor will help PTCL compete better with Jazz and Zong, which have dominated the market for years.
However, the full merger of both companies will take six months to a year. Until then, services will continue as normal.
When completed, this will be one of the biggest telecom mergers in over a decade, likely changing market competition and improving service quality for millions of mobile users.
