ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The Pakistani government is preparing to roll out satellite based internet services in the country, a move that could revolutionize online connectivity. Global tech giants including Elon Musk’s Starlink, UK-based OneWeb, and China’s Shanghai Spacecom have all applied to offer satellite based internet in Pakistan.
A temporary no-objection certificate (NOC) granted to Starlink, owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, expired in March. Now, all foreign companies providing satellite based internet services are required to apply again under the country’s newly drafted Satellite Communications Regulations.
The Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB) is finalising these new rules after gathering feedback from industry experts at a recent roundtable meeting. The regulations will include important security requirements, which officials say have become essential due to the current regional situation.
Once registered under the new rules, these companies will need operational licences from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). A PTA official mentioned that all interested providers, including Starlink, could be allowed to begin satellite-based internet services by the end of this year. According to sources quoted by Dawn, Elon Musk may also visit Pakistan for the official launch ceremony.
Starlink was the first to apply for a license in Pakistan, but the process faced delays because regulations were not in place. Interestingly, the company has already received approval to offer satellite-based internet services in neighbouring India.
A senior official from the Ministry of IT and Telecom said the recent conflicts made it clear that stronger controls over satellite based internet operations are needed. “The new regulations will have strict security clauses which might have been ignored if these wars had not happened,” the official explained. “Also, Pakistan must have more than one service provider, and we have two more companies interested.”
Government officials say that satellite based internet will help bridge the country’s long-standing digital divide. Many rural areas still lack high-speed internet, and satellite services can provide a much-needed solution without laying down heavy infrastructure.
At present, Pakistan’s own state-owned company, PakSat, a subsidiary of Suparco provides satellite based internet through its Satellite Multi-Mission-1 (MM-1), launched in August 2024. However, this is a geostationary satellite, positioned much higher at around 37,500km above Earth, which causes a delay of about 600 milliseconds.
PakSat’s service currently supports around 300 clients, with room for up to 5,000 users. Most of its customers are corporate firms, armed forces, and telecom companies operating in remote areas.
This major step toward digital development shows how Pakistan is aligning itself with global tech trends. If implemented successfully, satellite based internet could be a game-changer for millions of Pakistanis still struggling with poor connectivity.
