Islamabad, Zubair kasuri: In a significant ruling, the Islamabad High Court has ordered China Mobile Pakistan Limited to vacate the 1800 MHz band spectrum, citing unauthorized use. The court also imposed a hefty penalty on the company, calculated at USD 29.5 million per MHz over a 15-year period, plus applicable penalties.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE JUDGMENT
- China Mobile Pakistan Limited’s use of the 1800 MHz band spectrum deemed unauthorized and illegal
- Company ordered to vacate the spectrum immediately
- Penalty imposed, calculated at USD 29.5 million per MHz over 15 years, plus applicable penalties
- Judgment delivered in response to writ petitions No. 3626/2019 and No. 3458/2020, and first appeal against order No. 133/2020
IMPACT ON THE TELECOM INDUSTRY
The verdict is expected to have far-reaching implications for the telecom industry in Pakistan, setting a precedent for future cases of unauthorized spectrum use. Industry experts predict a significant impact on the company’s operations and finances.
REACTIONS FROM STAKEHOLDERS
Reactions from stakeholders, including China Mobile Pakistan Limited and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), are awaited. The company is expected to appeal the decision, while the PTA has welcomed the verdict, citing its commitment to ensuring fair competition in the telecom sector.
