ldi operators in pakistan Wateen Telecom - Ldilist 13 LDI licenses are operational in Pakistan Navigating the Landscape of LDI Operators in Pakistan: Challenges and Key Players

Ldilist The telecommunications sector in Pakistan has seen dynamic shifts, particularly concerning Long Distance International (LDI) operatorsLDI Operators and PTA Dispute Over APC Rates in Pakistan These entities play a crucial role in facilitating international voice and data traffic, connecting Pakistan to the global networkThe Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has suspended the licences offive defaulting Long Distance & International (LDI) operatorsand  However, recent years have highlighted significant regulatory challenges and financial disputes that have impacted the operational status of several LDI operatorsLists of LDI Licensees 13-05-25 Pakistan.xlsx

Regulatory Scrutiny and License Revocations

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has been actively involved in regulating the LDI sectorAcme Telecom (Pvt) Ltdhas secured a Long Distance International (LDI) licence from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA),  In a significant move, the PTA has cancelled the LDI licenses of five telecom operators due to various compliance issuesAcme Telecom (Pvt) Ltdhas secured a Long Distance International (LDI) licence from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA),  This action underscores the PTA's commitment to ensuring that all licensed entities adhere to regulatory frameworks and financial obligationsMajor operators under regulatory cloud as LDI License

Further compounding these regulatory actions, the PTA has also suspended the licenses of five LDI operators over unpaid dues2025829—PTA suspends licences of five LDI operators over unpaid dues.LDI operators owe Rs80 billion to government, including Rs24 billion in principal  Reports indicate that these LDI operators owe Rs80 billion to the government, with a substantial portion of Rs24 billion representing the principal amountWateen Telecom gets 20-year LDI licence renewal This situation has put several key players under a regulatory cloud, impacting their ability to operateLDI operators owe Rs24bn to USF - Business The renewal of licenses for nine LDI operators has been in limbo due to these outstanding financial commitments202557—Category 1 includesfive LDI operators—Telecard, Wateen, WorldCall, Wise Communication, and 4B Gentel—who have expressed willingness to pay 100%  Specifically, five LDI operators in Category 1—namely Telecard, Wateen, WorldCall, Wise Communication, and 4B Gentel—had expressed willingness to clear 100% of their dues as of May 20252024712—Most of the 10 operators' licences will expire in July-August 2024. The LDI operators areWorldcall, Redtone, ADG-LDI, Telecard, Dancom, 

The issue of unpaid dues has been a recurring themeAcme Telecom (Pvt) Ltd has secured a Long Distance In July 2024, it was reported that most of the licenses of ten operators, including prominent names like Worldcall, Redtone, ADG-LDI, Telecard, and Dancom, were set to expire amidst significant outstanding amountson termination rates with foreign operators, andLDI operatorsalso signing up to a percentage quota, will be guaranteed from the revenue PTCL collects from  The total dues owed by nine LDI operators collectively amounted to nearly Rs19 billion, as reported in July 2025The contentious issue resurfaced in recent months after the PTA refused to renew the licenses ofseven LDI operatorsunless they cleared their 

Key LDI Operators in the Pakistani Market

Despite the regulatory challenges, several LDI operators continue to be active in PakistanAcme Telecom (Pvt) Ltd has secured a Long Distance As of May 2025, a total of 13 LDI licenses are operational in PakistanPTA cancels LDI licenses of five telecom operators in Among the entities that have successfully renewed their licenses in 2024 are Telenor, Orient, LinkDOTNet, and ADG202557—Category 1 includesfive LDI operators—Telecard, Wateen, WorldCall, Wise Communication, and 4B Gentel—who have expressed willingness to pay 100%  The renewal of Wateen Telecom's LDI license for a 20-year term, effective November 2025, signifies a long-term commitment from this operatorPTA suspends licences of five LDI operators over unpaid

Historically, the number of LDI operators has fluctuatedPTA cancels LDI licenses of five telecom operators in A notable event occurred in June 2022 when the PTA issued its first LDI license in eight years, bringing the total number of LDI operators to 172025118—KARACHIWateen Telecomhas secured a 20-year renewal of its Long Distance International (LDI) license from the Pakistan Telecommunication  This included licenses for cyber internet servicesList of Local Loop Operators in Pakistan | PDF More recently, in September 2023, the PTA licensed new operators, with Zeta Technologies (Private) LtdList of Local Loop Operators in Pakistan | PDF receiving an LDI license in January and HG Telecommunication (Private) Ltd2022616—The number of LDI operators has increased to17after the issuance of licenses for cyber internet services. Previously, 16 LDI operators were  in February, aimed at boosting competition within the sectorPTA cancels LDI licenses of five telecom operators in

Among the established players, Orient Express LDI is recognized as a leading LDI telecommunications company operating across PakistanLists of LDI Licensees 13-05-25 Pakistan.xlsx Another entity, Acme Telecom (Pvt) Ltd, has also secured an LDI license from the PTAPOLICY NOTE The spectrum of LDI licensees in Pakistan is diverse, with documented entities such as Telenor LDI Communications (Pvton termination rates with foreign operators, andLDI operatorsalso signing up to a percentage quota, will be guaranteed from the revenue PTCL collects from ) LtdPTA cancels LDI licenses of five telecom operators in and Pakistan LDI (Pvt2025830—In a regulatory shocker, thePakistanTelecommunication Authority (PTA) has cancelled the Long Distance and International (LDI) licenses of ) Ltd2025714—The most pressing issue brought before the committee was the financial default bynine LDI operators, who collectively owe nearly Rs. 19 billion  being listedOrient Express LDIis a leading LDI telecommunications company operating across Pakistan. Our people are the core of our success.

Anti-Competitive Practices and Financial Disputes

Beyond license renewals and dues, LDI operators have also faced scrutiny for anti-competitive practicesThe licenses awarded to LL /LDI operatorswill be valid for. 20 years. 11. Regulatory Changes. 11.1 Appropriate changes in the regulatory framework would be  The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) imposed penalties on several LDI operators, including PTCL, for engaging in anti-competitive behavior related to Interconnection charges (ICH)List of Local Loop Operators in Pakistan ·1 Hazara Communication Cable Net (Pvt.) Ltd. · 2 Union Local Loop (Pvt.) Ltd. · 3 Worldcall Telecom Ltd. · 4 Worldcall  The CCP's Appellate Tribunal upheld these penalties, reinforcing the importance of fair competition in the telecommunications marketThe licenses awarded to LL /LDI operatorswill be valid for. 20 years. 11. Regulatory Changes. 11.1 Appropriate changes in the regulatory framework would be 

The PTA has also been in discussions regarding Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) rates with foreign operators, with LDI operators agreeing to a percentage quota from revenue collected by PTCLSo far, four licenses —Telenor, Orient, LinkDOTNet, and ADG— were successfully renewed in 2024. However, seven other operators, including WorldCall, Wateen, 

The Evolving Regulatory Framework

The regulatory framework for LDI operators in Pakistan has been subject to changesPTA cancels LDI licenses of five telecom operators in The de-regulation policy for the telecommunication sector has seen licenses awarded to LL/LDI operators being valid for 20 yearson termination rates with foreign operators, andLDI operatorsalso signing up to a percentage quota, will be guaranteed from the revenue PTCL collects from  The PTA's stance on LDI operators owe Rs80 billion to government highlights a proactive approach to financial accountability within the industryOrient Express – LDI The market has seen a mix of established LDI operators and new entrants, contributing to a competitive albeit regulated environmentLDI operators owe Rs24bn to USF - Business Understanding the operational status, regulatory compliance, and financial health of these LDI operators is crucial for stakeholders in Pakistan's telecommunication landscapePTA suspends licences of 5 LDI operators in Pakistan The presence of entities like 1 Hazara Communication Cable Net (PvtThe Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has suspended the licences offive defaulting Long Distance & International (LDI) operatorsand ) LtdPTA Issues First LDI License in 8 Years further illustrates the varied landscape of telecommunication service providers in the countryPTA Issues First LDI License in 8 Years