PTA actions against illegal GSM signal boosters

Our Correspondent

Islamabad: The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) has taken action against GSM Amplifiers and Boosters’ sellers.

PTA had sent a letter to different markets that were found selling signal boosters to the public. The Authority has ordered an immediate stop to this practice. As per the notice, shops found violating the order will face legal action under relevant provisions of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-Organization) Act 1996 along with other applicable laws.    

These GSM Amplifiers/Boosters are illegal as per the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-Organization) Act 1996. As per Section-31, Sub-Section (2) of the Act, ‘the unauthorized use of the radio frequency spectrum shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to [three] years, or with fine which may extend to ten million rupees, or with both.’

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The legal notice also mentions that these GSM Amplifiers/Boosters cause interference in licensed frequency spectrum bands allocated to cellular mobile operators (CMOs) and deteriorate cellular mobile service quality.

It is pertinent to mention here that PTA raised GSM Amplifiers/Boosters’ issue during August of this year in a public notice.

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As per that notice, the Authority stated that it had observed increasing use of sub-standard GSM Boosters/Amplifiers by mobile users. The Authority warned importers, distributors, sellers, and users of such equipment of legal action.

Following PTA’s order, all leading e-commerce portals have banned the selling of such equipment as well. Only mobile operators allowed to import GSM boosters and install them at mobile users’ premises.