Internet Packages May Get Expensive Soon

Operators have triggered concern over 600 percent increases in charges for laying and maintaining telecom cables.

Key points

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• The one-time right-of-way (ROW) fee for buried cables has risen 333 percent from Rs.
• The one-time supervision fee for buried cables has additionally climbed 213 percent, up from Rs.
• PTAPA remarked the revised charges are inconsistent with the federal government's Public & Private Right of Way Policy Directives and called on the authorities to enforce the approved policy.

Notably, the Pakistan Telecommunication Access Providers Association (PTAPA) has approached Punjab authorities and the federal administration over the charges for laying and maintaining telecom cables at Quaid-e-Azam Industrial Estate (QIE).

Under the revised rates introduced by the QIE management, annual rent for aerial telecom cables has rose from Rs. 50 to Rs. 300 per meter. PTAPA cautioned that higher infrastructure costs could eventually put pressure on the cost of internet and telecom services. PTCL Secures Five Awards at 'Dragons of Pakistan 2026'.

Charges for underground infrastructure have additionally climbed substantially. The one-time right-of-way (ROW) fee for buried cables has risen 333 percent from Rs. 300 to Rs. While annual rent has doubled from Rs, 1, 000 per meter. 100 to Rs. 300 per meter, a 200 percent growth.

Notably, the one-time supervision fee for buried cables has additionally climbed 213 percent, up from Rs. 80 to Rs. 250 per meter.

Meanwhile, the association argued that ROW charges imposed by public authorities should be based on a no-profit-no-loss principle and should cover the cost of providing the relevant service rather than being applied as a source of commercial revenue.

It additionally stated telecom operators that already pay approved tariffs for using electricity distribution firm poles should not be subjected to further permission or NOC charges.

Notably, the association has asked the authorities to intervene on an urgent basis to support with permissions for laying new infrastructure that are being withheld. Govt To Introduce New Telecom Bill After Withdrawing Controversial Draft.

Such restrictions could slow the expansion of telecom infrastructure and affect the provision of internet and other essential communication services to businesses operating in the industrial estate.

Meanwhile, the association has pressed the revised charges to be reviewed in line with the federal ROW policy. Stay Connected with ProPakistani.

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Taken together, the developments around internet Packages May Get Expensive Soon point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.