ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is exploring options to allow Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite operators, such as Starlink, to expand their services in the country. The satellite communication landscape in Pakistan is currently dominated by High Earth Orbit (HEO) operators, which provide essential services across various sectors.
HEO operators, such as Asiasat, Apstar, Yahsat, SES (O3b), Azercosmos, KTSAT, Yamal, and AM7, have a well-established presence in Pakistan, serving a range of customers, including TV broadcasters, telecom operators, and businesses. However, these operators are not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), and they lack local offices or registrations with Pakistan’s tax authorities, raising questions about their compliance with local regulations.
Pakistan currently operates two satellites, PAKSAT-1R, launched in 2011, which is nearing the end of its operational life, and PAKSAT-MM1, launched last year, which remains underutilized. This situation highlights the challenges of optimizing the country’s satellite assets in light of growing demand for satellite-based communication services. In contrast, LEO satellites, which are considered ideal for remote and underserved regions, could offer certain advantages.
However, LEO satellite constellations require significant infrastructure investments, including thousands of satellites and ground-based gateway stations in each country to process and route data securely. Without these gateway stations, LEO operators cannot provide services in any market, despite recent misleading reports suggesting that Starlink is already operational in Pakistan.
Industry experts clarify that LEO operators cannot offer services until they set up, test, and activate gateway stations, ensuring secure routing of satellite traffic through licensed systems and compliance with national regulations. Local media outlets have published unverified reports about LEO operators’ pricing and launch plans, adding to public confusion regarding their current capabilities.
LEO satellite operators maintain that their services can help bridge Pakistan’s digital divide by offering high-speed internet to rural and underserved areas. However, services are only activated after regulatory approvals are secured in each country, and all user traffic is routed through local internet exchange points for compliance with national laws.
The Pakistan Space Activities Rules 2024 established the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB) to oversee outer space activities. LEO satellite operators must obtain a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the PSARB, followed by a license from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) before offering services.
While globally, LEO satellite services are rapidly expanding, with Starlink already operational in over 100 countries and other players like OneWeb and Amazon’s Project Kuiper increasing their constellations, Pakistan’s satellite internet market remains heavily regulated. The entry of LEO satellite operators into this tightly controlled market depends on their ability to meet Pakistan’s legal and strategic requirements.
As the regulatory process progresses, the future of satellite connectivity in Pakistan remains uncertain, with numerous challenges surrounding infrastructure costs, regulatory hurdles, and concerns over space debris. The country’s satellite communications landscape is expected to continue evolving as these new technologies aim to compete with the established HEO operators.
