Islamabad, Jan 5: Elon Musk, the owner of SpaceX, announced on Saturday that he is awaiting approval from the Government of Pakistan to provide Starlink’s satellite-based internet services in the country. Musk’s comment came in response to a tweet highlighting the need for Starlink in Pakistan.
This development follows a recent suggestion from Richard Grenell, the U.S. Presidential Envoy for Special Missions, urging Musk to consider Pakistan for Starlink’s internet services. The same day, Pakistan’s Minister of State for IT, Shaza Fatima, confirmed that Starlink Internet Services Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd. had applied for a license, but noted that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is currently processing applications only from companies registered with the Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).
Progress of Starlink in Pakistan
Discussions between Starlink and the federal government remain in the preliminary stages. According to the PTA, the application is under review, with technical requirements such as bandwidth, uplinking, and gateway infrastructure being evaluated. Additionally, Pakistan’s National Space Agency (SUPARCO) is assessing the application under the National Space Policy framework.
Officials indicated that Starlink must meet several technical and regulatory requirements before gaining approval. SUPARCO’s endorsement is crucial, followed by PTA’s regulatory clearance, to move forward with operations in Pakistan.
Challenges and Context
Pakistan has experienced recurring internet disruptions in the past year, attributed to submarine cable faults and national security concerns. The need for a reliable internet service has grown more urgent, particularly given the frequent outages. Starlink’s low-earth orbit satellite system could provide a solution to these issues, offering stable connectivity across urban and remote areas alike.
Regulatory Hurdles
Starlink’s application process is also complicated by the ongoing suspension of social media platform X (formerly Twitter) in Pakistan since February 2024, reflecting broader regulatory challenges in the tech space. Whether these hurdles will affect Starlink’s progress remains uncertain.
What’s Next?
Starlink’s entry into Pakistan could revolutionize internet accessibility, especially in underserved regions. However, its success hinges on meeting stringent regulatory and technical requirements, as well as aligning with Pakistan’s broader telecommunications policies. Further developments are expected as discussions progress.
