Pakistan Railways cannot use its existing telecommunications license to directly provide commercial internet services like WiFi to passengers, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) told the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication.
In a written report submitted to the committee, PTA said Pakistan Railways had been granted a special license under Section 5(2)(a) of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Reorganization) Act, 1996.
The license allows the department to establish, operate and maintain a dedicated telecommunications system for noncommercial data and value-added services required for its institutional operations.
PTA clarified that the license is limited to Pakistan Railways’ own use and does not permit the department to provide public or commercial telecommunications services. The regulator said the restriction is also consistent with the Telecom Policy 2015, under which purpose-specific licenses issued to government, semigovernment and autonomous organizations do not authorize commercial operations.
According to PTA, Pakistan Railways currently provides internet connectivity on only three to five trains through cellular mobile operators. Internationally, onboard train internet services are generally delivered through terrestrial telecommunications networks, satellite connectivity, or a combination of both.
PTA said Pakistan Railways could expand Wi-Fi services to more trains by entering into commercial agreements with licensed cellular or satellite operators. Under this model, onboard WiFi networks would connect to cellular or satellite backhaul, allowing the department to expand passenger internet access through a legally permissible arrangement.
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