Islamabad, Dec 24: Shaza Fatima Khawaja, the State Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, informed the National Assembly that two international companies Elon Musk’s Starlink Internet Services Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd. and Chinese satellite company Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology have applied for licenses to operate in Pakistan.
In a written statement, the minister clarified that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is only processing applications from companies that are registered with the Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). According to the PTA’s licensing regime, only locally registered companies are eligible to submit applications, meaning that while international entities like Starlink and Shanghai Spacecom are seeking to expand their services in Pakistan, they must first be registered under SECP to apply for licenses.
The minister emphasized that once an application is submitted, the licensing process is straightforward and free of complications. The PTA processes the applications after completing the necessary formalities and obtaining security clearance from the Ministry of Interior, if needed. Additionally, the introduction of the Online Application Submission Information System (OASIS) has made the process more efficient, enabling applicants to submit documents and track their application status remotely.
To ensure quality service, the PTA also monitors the Quality of Service (QoS) of internet providers, ensuring compliance with international standards. Under the Fixed Broadband QoS Regulations, 2022, internet services are evaluated regularly to meet performance benchmarks, contributing to reliable and high-quality connectivity across Pakistan.
