The dispute between LDI operators and PTA

The lingering dispute between Long Distance & International (LDI) operators and the industry regulator, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), over the application of allegedly wrongful, higher Access Promotion Contribution (APC) rates on LDIs during 2008 and 2010 is now threatening to drastically impact the country’s telecom and digital ecosystem, and affect mobile service quality, banking operations and the broader economy. The contentious issue resurfaced in recent months after the PTA refused to renew the licenses of seven LDI operators unless they cleared their unpaid APC dues for the said period. In all, the dispute on APC calculations involves 13 operators out of 21 license-holder LDI operators responsible for providing long distance and international telecommunication services by bringing voice and data communications to and from Pakistan.