The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has proposed mandatory registration of all gateways operated by Internet of Things (IoT) and Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) service providers under its draft IoT and LPWAN Licensing Regulations 2026.

The regulation aims to bring IoT infrastructure under an official monitoring framework, requiring both private network operators and licensed service providers to register each gateway through PTA's online portal.

Key Regulatory Highlights

• 90-Day Deadline: Existing LPWAN licensees will have 90 days from the effective date of the regulations to register their installed gateways.
• Zero Annual Gateway Fee: The proposed fee structure includes no annual registration charge for gateways.
• Technical Disclosure: Operators must submit details including make/model, type approval, frequency range, output power, antenna specifications, GPS coordinates, expected connected devices, and QoS parameters.
• Inspection Rights: PTA will retain rights to inspect physical sites and revoke authorizations in cases of regulatory non-compliance.

The regulations will take formal effect following notification in the official gazette.