The Pakistani government has significantly raised fees for radio-based services (RBS), affecting a wide range of licensees, including private radio networks, mobile stations, amateur radio operators, and other specialized services. The increase, which reaches up to 360%, is expected to generate an additional Rs331.44 million in revenue for the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), bringing the total to approximately Rs463 million annually.
Details Radio-Based Service Charges
For private radio networks, which include 748 licensees, the charges have surged by 361.3%, rising from Rs76 million to Rs350 million per license. Mobile stations used in aircraft and ships, operated by 144 licensees, now face a 300% hike, with fees increasing from Rs713,000 to Rs2.852 million per license. Amateur radio licenses, held by 165 operators, have doubled from Rs160,000 to Rs320,000. Similarly, charges for Inmarsat licenses (17 operators) have risen from Rs625,000 to Rs1.25 million, and Microwave DRS link fees (19 operators) have jumped from Rs53.92 million to Rs107.84 million.
This adjustment, the first in nearly 25 years, aims to offset administrative costs for managing these services. The PTA oversees a diverse array of radio-based operations, including private networks used by businesses, emergency services, and maritime or aviation communications. The fee hikes have sparked discussions on social media platforms like X, where users have expressed concerns about the impact on small-scale operators, particularly amateur radio enthusiasts who rely on these licenses for non-commercial communication. Some argue the steep increases could discourage hobbyists and strain smaller organizations dependent on radio networks.
The decision reflects the government’s effort to align fees with current economic realities, as operational costs for regulatory oversight have risen. However, the scale of the increase has raised questions about affordability and accessibility, especially for niche sectors like amateur radio, which plays a vital role in disaster response and community communication in remote areas.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 28th, 2025
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