PTCL-Telenor merger to be finalised by CCP soon

In a development emerging in favour of the impending launch of 5G networks in Pakistan, the acquisition of Telenor Pakistan Private Limited and Orion Towers Private Limited by the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) is soon to be decided.

Months after being proposed as a catalyst for both the rollout and the functionality of next-gen broadband service in the country, the merger will reportedly be finalised by the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) which is expected to disclose its final decision in this regard.

The commission is said to have completed the Phase II review based on comprehensive evaluation and consultations with stakeholders, including regulators, competitors, and market players.

The review was reportedly triggered by concerns raised about the lack of potential competition in the market in the wake of PTCL's market dominance.

Citing CCP officials familiar with the matter, ProPakistani reported that while there's no harm in a telecom giant like PTCL's dominance in the Pakistani market, there is room for abusing it.

It must be noted that for the finalisation of the PTCL-Telenor merger, the provision of remaining information from PTCL, described as complex and unique in the telecom sector, is awaited.