Starlink, other broadband companies intend to start operation in Pakistan, NA told

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication informed the National Assembly (NA) that STARLINK and other satellite broadband companies/LEO Satellite operators are making significant strives to start operations in Pakistan.

However, none has complied the licensing requirements for commercial launch of services yet as only STARLINK has applied for the LDI license in Pakistan at this stage. In a written reply to Zubair Khan Wazir, Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja told the National Assembly in a written reply that although STARLINK has garnered significant attention, there are other international satellite broadband companies (LEO/MEO Operators) that have also expressed interest in operating in Pakistan.

“They may offer different technologies to cater various customer needs, subject to compliance of technical, regulatory and security aspects,” the National Assembly was told. It was further told in a written reply that any company/telecom service provider intending to operate in Pakistan is mandated to obtain requisite registration, licensing and permissions from concerned regulatory bodies of Pakistan e.g PTA, FAB etc. “They ensure to abide by the laws of land as well,” the NA was informed.

The NA was informed that STARLINK got registered with SECP in Dec. 2021 as "STARLINK Internet Services Pakistan (Private) Ltd", subsequently they applied for LDI license to PTA on 24th Feb, 2022 for broadband services. “In parallel, they are also in commercial negotiations with local companies/service providers to start commercial operations,” the National Assembly was further told.

As a part of procedure, the written reply stated that Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication sought comments from concerned stakeholders for tech and commercial viability.

It was further stated that FAB, SPD, SUPARCO/ Pakistan and other national agencies analyzed the matter in detail and put forward several observations pertaining to technical, regulatory, financial and commercial aspects associated with STARLINK in particular and any LEO/NGSO Satellite constellation in general.

It stated that the concerns were taken up with STARLINK, however they were not willing to comply the technical and regulatory concerns raised by the stakeholders. It was further stated that the process therefore took time as it was the first case of a license application for NGSO application in Pakistan and since there were grave concern in NGSO causing interference to GSO, however time taken and envisaged concerns are typical and equally applicable in other countries globally as well.

Additionally, there was no clear registration/regulatory mechanism in place, since the National Space Policy (NSP) was undergoing approval process.

The written reply stated that the NSP of Pakistan was approved by the government of Pakistan in Dec 2023, followed by Pakistan Space activity rules (PSARB) in Feb 2024 which are being followed by STARLINK for necessary registration/approvals in Pakistan and the same are equally applicable to any other NGSO/LEO operators who intend to start operations in Pakistan.