ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Major General (Retired) Hafeez Ur Rehman conducted field inspections in Islamabad and Rawalpindi to evaluate the performance of mobile networks after the deadline given to telecom operators to improve their services expired.
According to reports, the PTA chairman personally visited different locations to examine mobile call quality, 4G network coverage and internet speeds. The inspections were aimed at identifying connectivity problems and assessing whether mobile companies had improved their services.
The initiative follows concerns regarding weak mobile signals, interrupted calls and slow internet connectivity in different areas of the twin cities.
During the inspection, the PTA chairman also visited Islamabad International Airport to review mobile connectivity issues faced by passengers.
The airport inspection focused on communication difficulties experienced by travelers who depend on mobile networks for calls, internet access and other digital services.
Speaking about the initiative, Hafeez Ur Rehman emphasized that ensuring quality telecommunications services for the public is among the PTA’s key responsibilities.
He said the decision to conduct practical field assessments was made after shortcomings were identified in the quality of mobile phone services.
The chairman explained that the purpose of the exercise was not limited to Islamabad and Rawalpindi but was part of broader efforts to improve telecommunications services across Pakistan.
Mobile connectivity has become an essential part of everyday life, supporting communication, online education, digital banking, business activities and access to important services.
Poor network coverage and unreliable internet connections can create difficulties for individuals and businesses that rely on uninterrupted digital communication.
To address these challenges, the PTA has directed mobile network operators to improve their infrastructure and explore infrastructure-sharing arrangements.
Infrastructure sharing allows telecom companies to use certain network facilities and physical infrastructure jointly, subject to applicable regulations and technical requirements.
Such arrangements may help operators expand coverage, reduce infrastructure costs and improve network availability in underserved areas.
The inspections were conducted after the deadline previously given to mobile companies to improve their services in Islamabad and Rawalpindi had passed.
By personally examining network performance, the PTA chairman sought to assess the actual quality of services available to consumers.
The field checks covered several important indicators, including the ability to make and receive calls, the availability of 4G signals and mobile internet performance.
These indicators are essential for determining whether telecom operators are meeting consumers’ communication needs.
Weak mobile signals can result in dropped calls, poor voice quality and difficulty establishing connections. Similarly, slow internet speeds can affect video calls, online classes, digital transactions and other internet-based activities.
The PTA, as Pakistan’s telecommunications regulator, is responsible for overseeing the sector and monitoring compliance with applicable service quality standards.
The latest field inspections reflect the authority’s efforts to identify service deficiencies and encourage mobile operators to improve their networks.
However, the available report does not identify which telecom operators were found to be underperforming during the inspections.
It also does not provide specific internet speed measurements, network test results or details of any penalties imposed on mobile companies.
The PTA chairman reiterated that improving telecommunications services across the country remains an important objective.
The effectiveness of the initiative will depend on how quickly mobile operators address the identified problems and implement improvements to their infrastructure.
For consumers in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and other cities, the main expectation is that the regulatory inspections will lead to stronger mobile signals, more reliable calls and faster internet connections.
Further updates from the PTA and telecom operators are expected to clarify the progress made following the inspections and the measures taken to improve service quality.