Telecom equipment at high-rise buildings Lack Standardized Guidelines: PTA
By Newztodays Team
The telecom sector operator has said that the telecom equipment at high-rise buildings and other structures lacks standardized guidelines, while the stakeholders have criticized the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for not implementing the quality standards for mobile phone accessories.
PTA has said clear procedures and guidelines have been established to ensure that telecommunication equipment meets the required standards for interoperability, compatibility, and safety. Telecom Industry Report 2023: PTA Says All is Well
The PTA annual report has highlighted that to implement the National Telecom Equipment Standards, ‘The Standards and Conformance Assurance Directorate (SCAD) has been established to prescribe testing methods conforming to the technical standards as outlined in the regulations.
The PTA has said that the aim was to create a more efficient and compatible digital ecosystem that spurs competition by developing national telecom standards, revisiting existing rules and regulations, and advancing standardization in telecom infrastructure provision.
While the SCAD was established in May 2023, the stakeholders were not satisfied with the pace of the implementation process and the availability of sub-standard accessories in the market.
Muzaffar Paracha, senior vice chairman Pakistan Mobile Phone Manufacturers Association, said that Pakistan has to be consistent that the mobile phone accessories meet the standards too.
“The related components including chargers, batteries, hand-free, cables, etc., provided with the mobile handsets have the quality standard but the situation is not the same for the open market,” he said.
Mr Paracha also added that as long as the substandard smuggled items were available in the market, it would be difficult to produce them locally.
The PTA has said that apart from its regulatory role, SCAD will embark on an awareness campaign aimed at encouraging industry players and educational institutions to establish testing laboratories that will focus on aspects like electromagnetic compatibility, safety, and radio standards.
“These efforts will not only foster a competitive industry but also protect consumers from substandard products,” the PTA has said.
The PTA annual report has also added that presently the installation of telecom equipment in high-rise buildings and other structures lacks standardized guidelines, hindering the smooth delivery of essential services like broadband connectivity.
“PTA is making concerted efforts to standardize the provision of telecom infrastructure,” the report has added.
The annual report has added that specific standards governing the installation of telecom infrastructure in various settings were absent.
“PTA is pursuing the preparation of specifications and guidelines for outside plant code and in-building solution cabling, alongside processes related to utilization of the utility infrastructure for telecommunication services,” the report has added.
Its objective was to establish clear specifications for the deployment of telecom equipment to ensure optimal service delivery and enhance the overall landscape for both urban and rural areas.
The PTA has said that an advisory code was being devised to regulate the utilization of outside plant infrastructure by the local authorities to ensure the provision of telecommunication ducts and associated access points on new roads, railways, and footpaths.
The standards will also be developed for in-building telecommunication cabling including neutral host recommendations in commercial buildings.
It added that the key initiative involves the development of an advisory code for outside plant infrastructure, which local authorities can adopt.
This standardization effort aims to enhance the efficiency, reliability, and compatibility of telecommunication infrastructure deployment across Pakistan.
Incidentally, the PTA annual report 2023 has said that to achieve these goals, the PTA will collaborate closely with relevant stakeholders including local authorities and industry experts, but the telecoms have expressed a lack of knowledge over such guidelines and standardization processes.
The officials of telecom companies said that they did not possess information about quality standards by the PTA, because they have adopted the high standards already implemented by their parent companies who operate globally.
