By Ijaz Kakakhel

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) – the primary telecom watchdog and regulator in Pakistan – has directed all cellular mobile operators (CMOs) to ensure uninterrupted services through robust, multi-layered backup arrangements in the wake of the current electricity shortfall and delays in the availability of express feeders to the critical telecom infrastructure.

According to a document available with Wealth Pakistan, cellular services degrade during the prolonged power outages, which cannot be sustained by backup solutions alone, as diesel supplies and other backup layers quickly deplete during extended power breakdowns.

The regulator has repeatedly highlighted this issue at multiple forums and instructed telecom operators to maintain sufficient diesel reserves, ensure solarization and genset maintenance, and improve logistics for refueling remote sites.

According to the document, rising fuel costs and terrain-related access constraints have further compounded the challenge, requiring industry-wide coordination and government facilitation. Persistent issues related to site accessibility and diesel theft are also creating operational difficulties for the operators.

The new 5G licences incorporate enhanced requirements for service continuity to ensure operators plan for the long-term sustainability of critical telecom infrastructure. Government support remains essential, particularly through the Distribution Companies (DISCOs), for the provision of express feeders and policy measures aimed at mitigating the impact of the rising fuel costs.

The regulator continues to coordinate with the stakeholders to ensure timely identification and rectification of service degradation issues while aligning with the national contingency planning frameworks for telecom resilience.

Experts believe that without immediate and coordinated action, service disruptions could intensify, particularly as the demand for data and connectivity continues to grow. Strengthening energy reliability for telecom networks, they argue, is essential not only for consumer convenience but also for economic stability and national security.

Credit: INP-WealthPk