Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by billionaire Elon Musk, has received provisional permission to begin operations in Pakistan. The approval comes under the guidance of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other government agencies, as confirmed by Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja in a statement on Friday.
Starlink’s entry into Pakistan marks the formal launch of satellite internet services in the country. The Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB) has granted the company permission, but Starlink will need to register with the PSARB and acquire an operating license from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) before it can start offering services.
The PTA will also need to address various key issues in an agreement with Starlink, including fee payments and other licensing requirements. These discussions are expected to begin on Monday, with the government aiming to finalize all formalities within two weeks. However, a senior PTA official noted that negotiations are ongoing regarding mutual agreements on the shutdown of services in certain areas for security reasons, a common practice during political or religious events.
Despite the formal permission, Starlink’s services were already being utilized in areas along the Afghanistan border where traditional internet infrastructure is lacking. The satellite-based service, which provides internet by sending signals from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, allows users to access the internet with a small device that captures the satellite signals.
However, the government has raised concerns about the potential misuse of the service, with reports of terrorist groups using Starlink’s satellite internet through smuggled equipment registered in the Middle East. Some IT companies have also been using Starlink’s services, which the government claims was illegal.
While Starlink’s arrival is expected to improve connectivity in remote areas, experts believe it is not a complete solution to Pakistan’s connectivity challenges. As only 145 million of the country’s 240 million people have access to mobile or fixed broadband, traditional mobile network operators (MNOs) remain crucial for last-mile connectivity, particularly in areas affected by digital literacy and affordability challenges.
Kazim Mujtaba, President of the Consumer Division at Jazz, emphasized that Starlink is not a replacement for MNOs, but rather an opportunity for collaboration. Existing MNOs could partner with Starlink to enhance service delivery and improve overall connectivity.
In response to growing public demand, Pakistanis had previously urged Elon Musk on social media to bring Starlink to Pakistan, prompting Musk to confirm that his company had applied for a license. A pilot test, conducted in February with the involvement of military and government agencies, was the first step in bringing Starlink’s service to Pakistan.
Apart from Starlink, China’s Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology has also expressed interest in entering the Pakistani market, meeting with senior officials and the IT minister to explore opportunities.
