The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has launched a nationwide crackdown on illegal LoRaWAN networks after declaring all unlicensed LoRaWAN devices and operations unlawful.

LoRaWAN is a long-range, low-power wireless network protocol used to connect IoT devices over large distances.

The regulator said the move is meant to protect Pakistan’s fast-growing Internet of Things ecosystem from serious security risks.

According to PTA, the enforcement campaign is already underway and teams are acting against companies and individuals who import, sell or use LoRaWAN equipment without approval.

Offices have been sealed, devices have been confiscated, and arrests have been made during the ongoing operation.

PTA officials said unapproved LoRaWAN technology can create harmful interference in the national radio spectrum and can disrupt sensitive communication networks.

They warned that such interference could affect major digital projects and delay the rollout of secure technology services across the country. The authority stressed that only certified and legally licensed equipment can be used in Pakistan. It added that non-certified devices weaken compliance systems that are required to support national-level digital projects.

Public cooperation has also been requested. PTA has advised citizens to avoid buying unlicensed LoRaWAN devices and to purchase equipment only from PTA-authorized sellers. People have been urged to report any illegal activity related to LoRaWAN imports or installations.

LoRaWAN technology is widely used in smart farming, industrial monitoring, smart metering and vehicle tracking.

PTA said that while the technology is useful, only approved equipment can guarantee safety, compliance, and uninterrupted IoT operations across Pakistan.

Intel’s Arrow Lake-S desktop processors just got better inside your PC, without you doing anything, all thanks to OTA (over-the-air) software updates.

These Arrow Lake processors, launched last year as the Core Ultra 200S series, received a muted response at release. However, new testing indicates that performance has improved substantially since then. According to benchmarks published by Phoronix, the flagship Core Ultra 9 285K now runs about 9% faster on average under Linux compared with its launch results. It achieves these gains while using 15% less power.

In simpler terms, your Arrow Lake PC will get slightly better at gaming and many other tasks, automatically. These improvements come entirely from software updates, including microcode refinements, kernel tuning, and compiler optimizations that have allowed the hardware to perform as originally intended.

Why the Gains Matter

Arrow Lake’s launch was marked by inconsistent performance and efficiency that fell short of expectations. The new data shows how much software can influence hardware behavior, reinforcing that significant gains do not always require new components.

Intel is also addressing performance on Windows systems. The company has released an “Application Performance Optimizations” (APO) tool that adjusts CPU power distribution in real time. Early testing shows up to a 14% increase in frame rates in some games. If Windows updates continue to align with Linux improvements, Arrow Lake owners may see similar benefits across both platforms.

Why Should You Care?

Users who already bought Arrow Lake processors effectively gain a free upgrade simply by keeping drivers and software updated. For those who avoided the platform due to early reviews, the improved stability and efficiency may change its appeal as the platform continues to mature.

The European Union issued a €120 million fine (about $140 million) against X on Friday for violating the Digital Services Act. Elon Musk’s social media platform was found to be using its popular blue tick verification deceptively.

It marks the first time a company has been penalized under the law. Elon Musk responded on X with a one-word post: “Bullshit.”

The dispute intensified a day later when Nikita Bier, X’s head of product, accused the European Commission of exploiting an internal posting format to boost reach for its announcement about the fine.

Bier claimed the Commission used a format reserved for advertisements, despite not using its ad account since 2021. He also alleged the Commission published “a link that deceives users into thinking it’s a video and to artificially increase its reach.” The post in question does contain a video.

In response, X disabled the European Commission’s ad account. The move is unlikely to have a meaningful impact, as the Commission reportedly has not used the account in years.

Regardless of the platform dispute, X remains responsible for the €120 million penalty unless it succeeds on appeal. The company must also present a plan within the next 60 days addressing the “deceptive” use of verified checkmarks or risk additional sanctions.

The European Commission has been contacted for comment by The Verge.