Regulatory Compliance News

Pakistan PTA Authorizes 6 GHz Spectrum to Support Next-Generation Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 Technologies

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) officially designated the lower 6 GHz frequency band (5925–6425 MHz) for unlicensed Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) operations. This decision established Pakistan as an early adopter in South Asia to open 500 MHz of additional spectrum for short-range wireless devices. The regulatory framework addresses mounting congestion across shared 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) bands, providing the high-throughput bandwidth required to support advanced consumer electronics, enterprise networks, and industrial automation across the country.

Under the operational rules established by the PTA, devices operating in the 5925–6425 MHz band are subject to strict transmit power limits to prevent harmful interference with primary incumbent services. Low Power Indoor (LPI) access points and connected hardware are capped at a maximum Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power (E.I.R.P.) of 23 dBm, while Very Low Power (VLP) portable devices operating across both indoor and outdoor environments are restricted to 14 dBm E.I.R.P. Building upon the initial Wi-Fi 6E allocation, the PTA subsequently expanded the regulatory framework to formally approve next-generation Wi-Fi 7 (IEEE 802.11be) deployments within the same 5925–6425 MHz band under identical technical power limits.

This spectrum authorization directly updates Type Approval workflows managed by the PTA's Type Approval Directorate. Manufacturers, authorized importers, and compliance managers can apply for certificate revisions to add 6 GHz operational capabilities to previously certified product lines, as well as submit new applications for Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 hardware. Technical construction files submitted for PTA certification must include accredited laboratory test reports demonstrating compliance with designated output power limits, power spectral density caps, and frequency boundary constraints prior to commercial importation and distribution in Pakistan.