PTA Registers 8 Local VPN Service Providers, 4 Granted Operational Approval

The authority continues to monitor VPN-related activities to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory standards.

By DTD- On Jul 10, 2025

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has licensed a total of eight Virtual Private Network (VPN) service providers in the country. Out of these, four companies have been granted permission to begin operations.

The operational providers include Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd. (PTCL), National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC), Alpha 3 Cubic (Private) Limited under the brand Steer Lucid, and Zettabyte (Private) Limited with its brand Crest VPN.

According to PTA, the licensing of VPN service providers is being carried out under the framework of the Broadband Policy 2004, which classifies VPNs as a Value-Added Service. In line with this policy, the authority has been regulating VPN services through a registration process. So far, PTA has received nine applications for licensing VPN service providers, following requests from organizations including PSEB, PASHA, and the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication.

PTA has rejected claims regarding any slow progress in the registration process, stating that there is no delay in licensing VPN service providers. The authority has clarified that the licensing process is open and unrestricted, with no fixed target for the number of licensed entities.

Regarding the use of unregistered VPNs, PTA has said that any measures against such services are undertaken in accordance with the established regulatory framework and prevailing policy directions. The authority continues to monitor VPN-related activities to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory standards.

PTA maintains that the licensing of VPN service providers aims to protect the rights of licensees, promote sector growth, and safeguard consumer interests.