The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has begun licensing Virtual Private Network (VPN) service providers under the reinstated Class Value Added Services (CVAS-Data) licensing framework, marking a major policy shift in regulating VPN usage in Pakistan. This initiative is designed to align VPN services with national cybersecurity and data protection standards while providing a legal and secure pathway for users to access such services.
Under this new framework, several companies have been granted Class Licenses to operate as authorized VPN providers. These include Alpha 3 Cubic (Pvt.) Ltd. offering Steer Lucid, Zettabyte (Pvt.) Ltd. with Crest VPN, Nexilium Tech (SMC-Pvt.) Ltd. providing Kestrel VPN, UKI Conic Solutions (SMC-Pvt.) Ltd. with QuiXure VPN, and Vision Tech 360 (Pvt.) Ltd. offering Kryptonyme VPN. Licensed providers are permitted to offer VPN services to both individuals and organizations for legitimate, lawful purposes.
The PTA clarified that users no longer need to individually register their IP addresses or mobile numbers with the authority to use VPNs. Customers can now directly acquire services from the newly licensed providers, simplifying the process and improving convenience for both consumers and businesses.
This licensing initiative is part of the PTA’s broader efforts to ensure safe and compliant internet usage in Pakistan. By promoting authorized VPN access, the authority aims to reduce the risks associated with unregistered or unauthorized VPNs, which can pose threats to national data security. Through licensed VPN providers, the PTA seeks to create a transparent and secure digital environment, encouraging responsible use of internet services while safeguarding users’ privacy and data.
