The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet has granted approval for the long-anticipated Telecom Infrastructure Sharing Framework. The meeting, presided over by Caretaker Finance Minister Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, reviewed a summary presented by the Ministry of Information Technology & Telecommunication and engaged in detailed discussions before granting approval.

In addition to this crucial framework, the committee also greenlit another summary related to the release of IMT (International Mobile Telecommunications) spectrum, aimed at enhancing next-generation mobile broadband services in Pakistan. As part of this decision, the ECC sanctioned the formation of an advisory committee responsible for overseeing the allocation of unsold IMT Spectrum, outlining its terms of reference.

The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) had previously drafted the first-ever Telecom Infrastructure Sharing Framework earlier this year.

Telecom infrastructure sharing encompasses various aspects, primarily focusing on the sharing of telecom network components and related physical infrastructure, excluding electronic components.

This sharing concept is instrumental in optimizing resources by improving asset utilization, preventing the duplication of network infrastructure, reducing time and costs, and expediting the deployment of telecom services.

The framework is expected to establish a mechanism that allows licensees to share their telecom infrastructure facilities, encompassing passive components such as tower space and ducts, as well as active components like Access Network elements (BTS, BSC/RNC), microwave equipment, and more.

The ECC meeting witnessed the participation of key officials, including Minister for Commerce, Industries, & Production Gohar Ijaz, Minister for Communications, Railways, & Maritime Affairs Shahid Ashraf Tarar, Minister for Power & Petroleum Muhammad Ali, Minister for IT & Telecom Dr. Umar Saif, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance Dr. Waqar Masood, Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), federal secretaries, and senior government officials from relevant ministries. This approval marks a significant step toward enhancing connectivity and telecommunications infrastructure in Pakistan.

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet has granted approval for the long-anticipated Telecom Infrastructure Sharing Framework. The meeting, presided over by Caretaker Finance Minister Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, reviewed a summary presented by the Ministry of Information Technology & Telecommunication and engaged in detailed discussions before granting approval.

In addition to this crucial framework, the committee also greenlit another summary related to the release of IMT (International Mobile Telecommunications) spectrum, aimed at enhancing next-generation mobile broadband services in Pakistan. As part of this decision, the ECC sanctioned the formation of an advisory committee responsible for overseeing the allocation of unsold IMT Spectrum, outlining its terms of reference.

The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) had previously drafted the first-ever Telecom Infrastructure Sharing Framework earlier this year.

Telecom infrastructure sharing encompasses various aspects, primarily focusing on the sharing of telecom network components and related physical infrastructure, excluding electronic components.

This sharing concept is instrumental in optimizing resources by improving asset utilization, preventing the duplication of network infrastructure, reducing time and costs, and expediting the deployment of telecom services.

The framework is expected to establish a mechanism that allows licensees to share their telecom infrastructure facilities, encompassing passive components such as tower space and ducts, as well as active components like Access Network elements (BTS, BSC/RNC), microwave equipment, and more.

The ECC meeting witnessed the participation of key officials, including Minister for Commerce, Industries, & Production Gohar Ijaz, Minister for Communications, Railways, & Maritime Affairs Shahid Ashraf Tarar, Minister for Power & Petroleum Muhammad Ali, Minister for IT & Telecom Dr. Umar Saif, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance Dr. Waqar Masood, Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), federal secretaries, and senior government officials from relevant ministries. This approval marks a significant step toward enhancing connectivity and telecommunications infrastructure in Pakistan.