Revelation that mobile phone coverage still not available in many areas of country

PTA releases second quarterly survey report for year 2026, directs companies to improve service

It has been revealed that mobile phone coverage is not available in various areas of the country, on which legal action has been initiated against concerned operators for violation of prescribed licensed standards and instructions have also been issued to them to meet prescribed standards.

According to details, PTA has released Quality of Service (QoS) survey results for the second quarter of year 2026 (April to June), in which besides major cities, focused and rural areas as well as various areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan were also reviewed.

These surveys were conducted under Mobile Phone Network QoS Regulations 2021 in which coverage, mobile broadband, voice and SMS services of all Mobile Phone Operators (CMOs) were tested according to prescribed standards (KPIs).

PTA field teams conducted detailed surveys in various areas. In 11 major cities, about 27,300 voice calls and SMS tests were conducted while 0.19 million mobile broadband samples were collected.

According to report, in focused and rural areas about 3,300 voice/SMS tests and 24,000 broadband samples were taken. Similarly, in six high mountain locations of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, about 4,100 voice, SMS tests and 3,960 broadband samples were reviewed.

During survey, significant difference in availability of digital facilities emerged in rural areas and some such areas were also identified where mobile phone coverage is still not available. In remote areas, prolonged load-shedding, theft and vandalism of telecom infrastructure, fiber cuts and security situation are major obstacles in improvement of services.

During survey conducted in rural areas, significant gap in digital access emerged and areas were identified where mobile coverage is still not available. In remote areas, prolonged load-shedding, theft and vandalism of telecom infrastructure, fiber cuts, Right of Way related issues and security situation are major obstacles in expansion and improvement of telecom services. In view of promoting access to telecom services to unserved and underserved areas, measures are being taken through Universal Service Fund (USF).

Along with this, contact and cooperation with federal and provincial governments is also ongoing in order to simplify the approval process of Right of Way and ensure uninterrupted commercial electricity supply for telecom networks.

According to results of survey, prescribed standards regarding SMS and voice services across country were found to be generally better, however difference was found in performance of mobile broadband in some areas.

PTA says that legal action has been initiated against concerned operators for violation of prescribed licensed standards and instructions have also been issued to them to comply with prescribed standards.

These survey reports are available on PTA website, whose publication aims to ensure transparency, provide information to consumers and attract mobile operators towards continuous improvement in quality of service.

PTA continues its measures for protection of consumer interests, improvement of quality of telecom services, promotion of modern technology and provision of better and quality telecommunication services to consumers across the country.