The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued a draft framework and license template concerning the provision of In-Flight Telecommunication Satellite (ITS) services within Pakistan airspace. This proposed regulatory change introduces a new nonexclusive licensing category for In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) systems.
Under the draft proposal, the license would authorize providers to offer on-board broadband and cellular mobile services. However, several critical constraints are included that will directly impact manufacturers and service providers intending to operate in this market.
Key requirements outlined in the draft include:
- Mandatory Type Approval: All terminal equipment to be installed or connected to the licensed system must receive formal type approval from the PTA and comply with Telecom Equipment Standard Regulations.
- Technical Standards: Hardware must conform to international standards recognized by the Authority, specifically those from the ITU, IEC, and EN/ETSI.
- Infrastructure Restrictions: Licensed systems must utilize a fixed satellite gateway earth station located within the territorial boundaries of Pakistan.
- Data Residency: All user data generated or processed must remain within Pakistan, with traffic routed through locally installed gateways.
- Altitude Constraints: Cellular mobile services are restricted to aircraft flying at a minimum height of 3,000 meters above ground level.
The proposed license is expected to be valid for ten years with an initial fee of USD 10,000. Manufacturers should evaluate how these data residency and local gateway requirements may influence R&D and supply chain readiness for the Pakistani market.
Stakeholders are encouraged to review the proposed technical and frequency-related constraints to ensure future compliance for their devices. For a more detailed analysis of how these changes may affect your product roadmap, please follow the link below.
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