PTA admits mobile tariffs rose up to 22% over past year

Mobile operators have increased tariffs by up to 22 percent over the past year, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has admitted, while rejecting claims that telecom companies have been raising prices by 10-20 percent every month.

Official documents noted that PTA’s analysis of subscriber-wise top ten packages offered by Jazz, Telenor, Zong and Ufone showed an average tariff increase ranging between 12 percent and 22 percent from June 2025 to June 2026.

The authority, however, said the annual increase translated into a monthly tariff increase of around 1-2 percent, and there was no evidence of mobile operators increasing prices by 10-20 percent on a monthly basis.

READ MORE: PTA supports rationalisation of mobile device taxes to boost smartphone affordability

The admission comes amid growing concerns among consumers over repeated increases in mobile package prices, with telecom users facing higher costs for calls, data and other mobile services.

PTA said it was regulating tariffs of Jazz, being a Significant Market Power (SMP) operator, as well as Ufone and Telenor pursuant to the merger order issued on November 30, 2025.

Zong, being a non-SMP operator, may revise its tariffs according to its commercial decisions, the regulator said.

However, PTA has the power to intervene where tariffs adversely affect consumer interests under the Mobile Tariff Regulations, 2025, it added.

The authority said that, under the law, it was mandated to protect consumers’ interests while also ensuring a reasonable return on investments made by telecom operators.

PTA regularly approves tariffs of SMP operator Jazz after taking into consideration consumer interests, inflation, prevailing economic conditions and market competition, according to the response.

It also conducts anonymous billing verification exercises to ensure that consumers are being charged according to approved rates.

READ MORE: Tax on imported phones allowed in instalments

The regulator said consumers facing tariff-related complaints or discrepancies in charging could lodge complaints through its Complaint Management System (CMS), available on PTA’s official website, CMS application and helpline.

PTA takes up such complaints with the relevant operator under the applicable legal framework for redressal, it added.

The PTA’s clarification suggests that while mobile tariffs have risen substantially over the past year—with increases reaching 22 percent in some cases—the authority does not consider the increases to constitute the much higher 10-20 percent monthly hikes being alleged.

The tariff issue has gained significance as mobile connectivity has increasingly become an essential service for households, businesses and digital users, making repeated price revisions a growing consumer concern.