Silver City – The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has taken a major step forward in regulating Virtual Private Network services across the country by introducing an official licensing system for VPN providers.
Under the newly reinstated Class Value Added Services (CVAS-Data) licensing framework, the PTA has approved several companies to offer authorized VPN services to Pakistani citizens and businesses. This regulatory move aims to balance user privacy needs with national cybersecurity requirements.
Approved VPN Service Providers
The following companies have received official Class Licenses from the PTA:
- Steer Lucid (Alpha 3 Cubic Pvt. Ltd.)
- Crest VPN (Zettabyte Pvt. Ltd.)
- Kestrel VPN (Nexilium Tech SMC-Pvt. Ltd.)
- QuiXure VPN (UKI Conic Solutions SMC-Pvt. Ltd.)
- Kryptonyme VPN (Vision Tech 360 Pvt. Ltd.)
Simplified Access for Users
In a welcome development for consumers, the PTA has streamlined the VPN registration process. Users can now directly subscribe to services from these licensed providers without needing to register their IP addresses or mobile numbers with the authority separately. This change significantly reduces bureaucratic hurdles for both individual users and corporate entities seeking legitimate VPN access.
Regulatory Framework and Security Goals
The licensing initiative is part of the PTA’s comprehensive strategy to create a secure digital ecosystem in Pakistan. By establishing a framework of authorized VPN providers, the authority seeks to address concerns related to unauthorized VPN usage while ensuring citizens and businesses have access to legitimate privacy tools.
The regulated approach is designed to protect national data security interests while maintaining compliance with Pakistan’s cybersecurity standards. The PTA emphasizes that licensed VPN services are available for all lawful purposes, balancing regulatory oversight with user freedom.
This policy shift represents the PTA’s commitment to modernizing Pakistan’s digital infrastructure while safeguarding against potential security vulnerabilities associated with unregulated VPN services.
