PTA Orders Telecom Operators to Fix Network Coverage, Voice and Internet Issues
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has ordered mobile operators to fix network coverage, voice call and internet quality problems found during a fresh round of nationwide PTA network monitoring. The directive came after officials visited several cities and found service gaps affecting consumers.
Between October 8 and 14, 2026, PTA teams carried out monitoring through ten zonal offices. They visited Thatta, Dera Ghazi Khan, Mandi Bahauddin, Quetta, Faisalabad and Gilgit-Baltistan to assess how telecom services were performing on the ground.
What the monitoring found
During these visits, PTA officials assessed mobile network coverage, voice call quality and internet services. They identified problems affecting consumers in several areas and told operators to resolve them within specified deadlines.
The authority also confirmed that one issue involving the closure of a telecom site in Faisalabad had been resolved. PTA said it would keep working with telecom operators, relevant organisations and local administrations to improve network performance and deliver more reliable services across the country.
Why PTA network monitoring matters for consumers
Pakistan’s mobile users often complain about weak signals, dropped calls and slow data speeds, especially outside the major cities. PTA’s zonal monitoring system is meant to catch these problems through field visits rather than waiting for complaints to pile up.
The latest round is part of a wider regulatory push. Earlier this month, the PTA moved to scrap the one-year limit on telecom performance reviews, giving itself room to monitor operators more continuously. The authority has also been tightening rules around digital safety and consumer protection, as seen in the National CERT advisory on location sharing and recent work on AI-generated content labelling on YouTube.
For subscribers, the practical result should be fewer dead zones and better call quality. Operators that miss the deadlines face regulatory action, though PTA has not yet named the companies or shared the specific timelines.
What happens next
PTA said the monitoring campaign would continue across other cities in the coming weeks. Consumers can report service problems to PTA through its complaint portal or the helpline, and these reports feed into future field checks.
Frequently asked questions
Which cities did PTA monitor in October?
PTA carried out monitoring between October 8 and 14, 2026 in Thatta, Dera Ghazi Khan, Mandi Bahauddin, Quetta, Faisalabad and Gilgit-Baltistan through its ten zonal offices.
What issues must operators fix?
Operators were directed to resolve problems related to mobile network coverage, voice calls and internet services within specified deadlines.
Was the Faisalabad site issue resolved?
Yes. PTA confirmed that the issue involving the closure of a telecom site in Faisalabad had been resolved.
How can consumers report network problems?
Users can file complaints with PTA through its online complaint portal or helpline. These complaints help the authority decide where to send its field teams next.
Source: ProPakistani
