PTA formulates a legal framework for short-range devices and terrestrial IoT services

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has developed a “Regulatory Framework for Short Range Devices (SRD) and Terrestrial Internet of Things (IoT) Services.”

The goal of this regulatory framework is to provide a regulatory guideline for the industry in order to enable the development of the Internet of Things (IoT) eco-system in Pakistan, either through unlicensed/shared bands, which may be used for Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN) on a non-interference and non-protection basis, or through exclusively assigned/licensed frequency bands.

The main focus of this framework, however, is to elaborate on the requirements and guidelines for providing IoT services in shared frequency bands.

PTA will begin accepting applications for Class LPWAN Licensing on March 31, 2022. In due course, the LPWAN license template, application forms, and application requirement checklist will be uploaded.

The SRD and IoT licensing framework for service provisioning is divided into categories based on the frequency bands involved in such provisioning, as shown below:

1. Services provided through licensed/exclusively assigned frequency bands: This category includes Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs) as well as other such licensees who have an exclusive assignment of frequencies by PTA/FAB.
2. Services provided through shared frequency bands: It includes the following categories: a. Services provided through Short Range Devices-Bands (SRD-bands) and/or Ultra Wide Bands (UWB). b. Services provided through shared bands for Long Range IoT under the new category of LPWAN License to be issued by PTA.

The following criteria shall be used for IoT services provisioning:

IoT Service Provisioning Through Licensed Frequency Bands

1. CMOs and other Local Access Providers may provide IoT services through their exclusively assigned frequencies under respective license conditions, and/or any other conditions as specified by the Authority from time to time.
2. Exclusive assignment(s) for IoT in any other frequency band, shall be dealt with on a case-to-case basis by PTA/FAB, a. To this effect, request for assignment of specific frequency channel/spot on the prescribed form shall be submitted to PTA for onward submission to FAB for processing as per procedure in vogue (in accordance with RBS licensing regime or any other regime as specified by Authority from time to time). However, applicants would be encouraged to consider the unlicensed band.
3. Mission Critical Services shall be offered through exclusively assigned/licensed frequency bands under the terms and conditions of such license or any other determination/conditions as specified by the Authority from time to time.

Provisioning of IoT Services via Unlicensed Frequency Bands i. License Exempt Category IoT, SRD, and UWB devices operating in the shared spectrum bands identified in Annex A and B are exempt from licensing, subject to the following conditions:

1. All devices under this category shall comply with limits/, parameters, allowed applications, general operating conditions, etc. as specified in Annex-A & B.
2. All devices under this category as specified in Annex-A & B shall require type approval as per section 29 of the Act and Type Approval regulations issued by the Authority from time to time.
3. The IoT, SRD, and UWB devices shall be allowed only on “Secondary, Non-interference, Non Protection” basis as well as shall not cause interference with other authorized radio communication services, and be able to tolerate any interference caused by other radio-communication services, electrical or electronic equipment.
4. The devices shall not be constructed with any external or readily accessible control which permits the adjustment of its operation in a manner that is inconsistent with the specifications and limits as given in Annex A & B.
5. If any IoT, SRD, and UWB devices are found or reported to interfere with any primary service, the device operation must be stopped immediately.
6. UWB applications having the capability to cause harmful interference, in case of widespread deployments, shall be considered on case to case basis. Such applications shall be forwarded to FAB and upon their approval, type-approval shall be issued by PTA.

To read our blog on “In a single month, PTA receives 12 applications for LDI licenses,” click here.