Providing data services, may it be for end users internet connectivity, or for vehicle tracking purposes, is a key offering made by telecommunication players in Pakistan. In order to be able to provide these services, the service providers should have the relevant licenses from Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). These licenses can include Class Value Added Services (CVAS) – Data License, Local Loop License and/or Telecommunication Infrastructure Provider (TIP) license based on the scope of the services to be provided by the telecommunication services provider.
For the purpose of this article, we are going to explore what do you need to start your business operations after when you have been granted the Class Value Added Services (CVAS) – Data License or Local Loop License. For an obligation free assessment of your situation on the relevant approvals applicable to your business, please feel free to contact us at info@nanotechsol.com.
The most important element to understand here is that the grant of Class Value Added Services (CVAS) – Data License or Local Loop License is the phase 1 of license completion for your business operations. In the case of Class Value Added Services (CVAS) – Data License, you are provided twelve (12) months from Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to setup your infrastructure appropriately, get your equipment Type approved and get your technical and network plan deployed and completed as per the initial proposal.
During this time and once you have completed the preparations as mentioned earlier, the next step is to request Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to inspect your setup for evaluation and upon successful evaluation and inspection, issue you the Certificate of Commencement of Operations. Please note that without the Certificate of Commencement, it is illegal to start your business operations and you might have to shut down your operation and pay fines to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), if your setup is identified as an illegal operation i.e. without the Certificate of Commencement of Operations from Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
Similarly, in the case of Local Loop license, the allowed timeframe from Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to complete your network setup and roll-out is eighteen (18) months, once you are provided the Local Loop License. On similar lines as above, during this time, once you are ready with the setup, you are required to get your setup inspected by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). Upon successful inspection and evaluation, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) issues you the Certificate of Commencement of operations.
So what do Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) inspection teams verify during their inspection. Below are some key aspects which are reviewed and tested by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) during the inspection:
Adherence to the Quality of Service (QoS) parameters applicable on the relevant license category.
Review of the network and infrastructure deployment in-line with the initial license proposal to see if there are any gaps or whether the deployment and setup has been done appropriately
Review of the entity’s corporate documentation
Review of the equipment used by the entity in whether the equipment is Type Approved by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) or not
Our advice to all of our valued customers remain to engage us early on in the process and be mindful of the two phases of the lawful business operations setup as outlined above i.e. the license issuance from Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and then the Certificate of Commencement of operations issuance. We look forward to hearing from you at info@nanotechsol.com and to helping you with your smooth and quick business operations and roll-out plans whether you are looking to setup your own infrastructure or to share existing infrastructure to provide your services.