ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has introduced a new regulatory framework for Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to address concerns over unregistered services and improve monitoring of VPN traffic.
As part of the plan, PTA will now issue Class Licenses for VPN services under its Data Services category. Local companies can apply for these licenses to provide VPN services in compliance with national regulations. This step aims to support Pakistan’s growing freelance community, including 2.5 million freelancers, many of whom rely on secure VPNs for IT projects.
The license fees are set at Rs300,000 for nationwide services and Rs100,000 for provincial services. Licenses will be valid for 15 years and renewable for another term. Users will have the flexibility to switch providers, while authorities will monitor VPN usage for security purposes.
The move aligns VPN services with other regulated sectors like internet, cellular, and vehicle tracking services, creating opportunities for local businesses to grow under PTA’s framework.