The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has made a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) mandatory for telecommunication equipment in Pakistan.
The requirement applies before telecom equipment can be imported, deployed or placed into operational use. It covers equipment manufactured locally, imported into Pakistan or deployed across telecom networks.
PTA introduced the requirement under the Telecommunication Equipment Standards Regulations.
New Technical Standards for Telecom Equipment
According to PTA, the regulations apply to all licensees, manufacturers and importers of telecommunication equipment.
The federal government approved the regulations under Section 28 of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) Act, 1996.
Under the new framework, telecom equipment must meet prescribed technical standards before entering operational use. These standards cover several key areas.
They include Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), Radio Frequency (RF), health and safety requirements, and other applicable technical specifications.
PTA said the authority will issue a CoC only after equipment meets the required standards. Therefore, companies must obtain the certification before importing or deploying covered equipment.
PTA Aims to Improve Telecom Industry Standards
The authority developed the regulations after consulting key stakeholders across the telecom industry.
These consultations included importers, telecom licensees, manufacturers, vendors and other industry representatives.
PTA said the regulatory framework aims to ensure global compatibility and interoperability of telecommunication equipment. This could help improve the reliability and quality of telecom services across Pakistan.
Moreover, the authority expects the standards to support local manufacturing and contribute to economic growth.
The mandatory CoC requirement represents a significant regulatory step for Pakistan’s telecommunications sector. It will also place greater responsibility on manufacturers, importers and licensees to ensure equipment meets approved technical requirements before deployment.
