PTA chairman tests mobile networks in Islamabad and Rawalpindi after deadline
PTA Chairman Hafeez-ur-Rehman personally tested call and internet quality in Islamabad and Rawalpindi after operators' deadline expired. Initial findings were generally satisfactory, with gaps found in some areas.
- PTA chairman tested calls and mobile data across the twin cities
- Deadline for operators to improve services expired on October 31
- Gaps in call quality and internet speed were found in some areas
- PTA has not released operator-wise results
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Hafeez-ur-Rehman personally inspected mobile network, voice call and internet quality across Islamabad and Rawalpindi after the deadline given to telecom operators to improve services in the twin cities expired on October 31.
According to TechJuice, the chairman toured Blue Area, Sectors G-7, G-8, G-9 and G-11, and Srinagar Highway, accompanied by representatives of all mobile operators. PhoneWorld reported that authority members, director generals, senior officials, representatives of Jazz, Zong and Ufone, and officials from the Ministry of Information Technology also took part.
Three special teams covered different locations. The first inspected services around Islamabad International Airport and Srinagar Highway. The second examined the Islamabad Expressway towards Rawat T-Chowk. The third covered Murree Road, Rawal Road and the Old Airport area.
Officials tested voice quality, call connectivity, call continuity and mobile internet speeds. The chairman made calls himself at several locations, while internet speed and data quality were checked through software-based testing.
PhoneWorld reported that initial findings showed voice and data services were generally satisfactory at most inspected locations, but that the teams found shortcomings in call quality and mobile internet performance in certain areas. The chairman directed operator representatives to fix the gaps immediately.
The chairman said operators had earlier been given targets for improving service quality. He said the authority would make no compromise on service standards and would grant no relaxation to companies that failed to meet them. TechJuice reported that PTA is pushing for immediate improvements alongside the launch of 5G and uninterrupted 4G connectivity.
The visit followed drive tests last week by PTA Director General Enforcement Amir Shahzad at locations including Blue Area, Kashmir Highway, Margalla Road, Iran Avenue, Peshawar Road, Tarnol and Islamabad International Airport. TechJuice said a PTA comparative survey found Jazz a leading performer in network speed, voice call consistency and overall user experience.
Both outlets reported, citing sources or earlier reports, that operators may have adjusted network conditions ahead of the inspection. PhoneWorld noted that PTA has not released detailed operator-wise results, measured speeds or a full list of locations with deficiencies, and the findings do not show whether the performance is sustained.
Background
khabr.pk reported on 3 November that PTA Chairman Hafeezur Rehman told a National Assembly committee that 96 million Pakistanis use YouTube, watching 560 million videos a day in Pakistan.
Why it matters
Mobile users in Islamabad and Rawalpindi depend on these networks for calls and data. The inspection shows whether operators have improved service quality after the deadline. PTA has said it will share coverage gap reports with companies and direct them to resolve problems without delay.
