Urdu Report Desk
Starlink has clarified the current status of four key requirements that must be met before its satellite internet service can launch in Pakistan.
Starlink Pakistan Director Sikander Naqi said low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite operators must complete registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), obtain final approval of space regulations, secure a Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) licence, and complete the required security clearances.
Requirements and Progress
According to Naqi, apart from SECP registration, the remaining requirements are operator-specific and can only be formally completed once the government officially issues the relevant FSS licensing framework and space regulations.
He said consultations with the industry on the FSS licensing framework have already been completed and, according to Starlink’s information, the framework has now been finalised.
Naqi added that the space regulations have also reportedly been finalised and are currently awaiting approval through the government’s internal process. The required security clearances are understood to be incorporated into the regulatory framework.
PTA’s Position
Naqi’s comments come after the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) recently briefed a Senate committee that LEO satellite operators must meet regulatory and security requirements before receiving permission to operate in Pakistan.
The PTA also said that no Starlink licence application was currently pending before the authority.
Security Clearance Process
Naqi said the security requirements imposed by security agencies are stringent and involve extensive vetting, including clearance procedures related to foreign directors.
He said the process may require further clarification, particularly if it introduces an additional procedural requirement that could cause further delays to the launch of the service.
Impact of the Delay
Naqi said the continued delay in introducing LEO satellite services in Pakistan has implications for connectivity in underserved areas, including schools and hospitals.
He also pointed to broadband connectivity challenges in sectors such as railways and aviation, as well as concerns surrounding the quality, availability and resilience of connectivity services.
According to Naqi, a senior regulator has officially acknowledged that some of these connectivity challenges could potentially be addressed through LEO satellite operations.
Starlink’s Pakistan Plans
Starlink has been seeking to enter the Pakistani market for several years. The company was previously reported to have registered locally as Starlink Internet Services (Private) Limited.
Once available in Pakistan, Starlink would be able to provide internet connectivity in areas where land-based internet services are unavailable. Hospitals, schools and other institutions in underserved areas could potentially benefit from satellite internet services.
