The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is set to shift to Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) from legacy copper-based networks for fixed broadband services, Business Recorder reported on Saturday.

The move is aimed at providing secure and high-speed broadband services. The transition will be mandated through new and renewed licences emphasising Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) connections, BR quoted official sources as saying.

In this regard, the PTA will implement revised Fixed Broadband Quality of Service Regulations 2022 to align them with existing and emerging fixed broadband technologies such as xDSL, cable broadband, fixed wireless, FTTH/Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) and Satellite Broadband.

These regulations are aimed at accurately assessing the quality of services offered to end-users.

To ensure compliance with these regulations, the PTA will conduct Quality of Services surveys, utilising the National Broadband Measurement (NBM) programme, which involves the deployment of pre-configured devices and volunteers for continuous performance measurement.

This will apply to improvement of QoS standards for 3G and 4G services and expand coverage obligations in cellular licences.