PTA draft radio licence rules: 10-year licences, Rs 2,000 amateur radio licence and online filing
The Radio Based Services Licensing Regulations 2026 cover private radio networks, aircraft and ship stations and ham radio, with decisions promised within 15 working days.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has circulated draft Radio Based Services (RBS) Licensing Regulations, 2026 for public comment, proposing 10-year licences and a fully online application process, Business Recorder reported on Monday, 19 October.
The rules cover anyone who runs radio equipment outside the mobile networks: private wireless and trunking networks, microwave links, telemetry and SCADA systems at factories and utilities, weather radars, aircraft and ship radio stations, and amateur (ham) radio operators.
Proposed fees
| Licence | Fee |
|---|---|
| Application processing (all, non-refundable) | Rs 5,000 |
| Initial licence fee, where it applies | Rs 10,000 |
| Amateur radio, 10 years | Rs 2,000 |
| Junior amateur radio, 5 years | Free |
| Aircraft or maritime mobile station, full term | Rs 100,000 |
| Inmarsat terminal on an aircraft or ship, extra | Rs 250,000 |
| Private radio network | Annual charge by formula |
The annual charge for a private radio network depends on the frequency band, bandwidth, output power and whether the site is urban, suburban or rural.
How the online process would work
- Spectrum first (private networks only): apply to the Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) on its portal for a frequency.
- Apply online to PTA with the documents and the Rs 5,000 processing fee.
- Completeness check within seven working days. You get 15 days to fix any gaps, and an application can be sent back at most three times.
- Decision within 15 working days of a complete application.
- Renewal: apply at least three months before expiry; spectrum revalidation at least six months before.
Ham radio: who can apply
Amateur operators must be 18 or older, be members of the Pakistan Amateur Radio Society and hold a police clearance certificate. Young people aged 14 to 17 can get a five-year junior licence with a sponsor and parental or school consent.
What changes for existing licence holders
Current licences stay valid on their existing terms until they expire. Holders must register their licence details on PTA's online system within six months of the new rules taking effect, at no charge. Type approval will become mandatory for radio equipment, except for certified gear on aircraft and ships, so businesses importing walkie-talkies or wireless links should check that the models they buy are PTA type-approved.
The report did not give the deadline for public comments.
For PTA charges on mobile phones, see our PTA mobile tax calculator.
Frequently asked questions
- How much is an amateur radio licence in Pakistan under the PTA draft?
- Rs 2,000 for 10 years under the draft Radio Based Services Licensing Regulations 2026, plus the Rs 5,000 processing fee. Junior licences for ages 14 to 17 are free for five years.
Sources
- PTA proposes 10-year radio licences, online processing under new rules: Business Recorder
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