A delegation from Elon Musk-owned Starlink met with Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja, on January 7, to review progress on granting the satellite-based internet provider a license to operate in Pakistan.
Elon Musk recently highlighted on the social media platform X that Starlink, the leading global provider of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite internet services, is awaiting approval to start operations in Pakistan. However, the company must first secure approval from the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board and then obtain an operational license from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
While Starlink has registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), the regulatory framework for LEO satellite landing rights is still being finalized.
The government is committed to expanding internet access to underserved and unconnected areas through satellite-based solutions.
Exploring alternatives for internet access
Pakistan currently relies on 13 high-orbit satellites, with four supporting communication services for television channels licensed by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra). Regular internet slowdowns and throttling have prompted IT companies with international clients to explore Starlink’s solutions.
Shaza Fatima chaired a separate meeting focused on developing a regulatory framework for LEO satellite operations. She stressed the need for aligning national policies with global standards to harness satellite technology for development.
LEO satellites operate at altitudes of 300-500 kilometers, significantly lower than geosynchronous satellites at 36,000 kilometers, offering direct internet services for both individual and commercial users.
Enhancing connectivity
Pakistan is also set to benefit from the 2Africa Submarine Cable System, a global initiative led by Meta and Vodafone. Spanning 45,000 kilometers and featuring cutting-edge SDM1 technology, the cable will connect 46 locations across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
The system, set to go live in Q4 2025, will provide Pakistan with 24 terabytes of bandwidth, compared to the 8 terabytes currently available from seven existing cables. This upgrade is expected to significantly improve the performance of platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram.
Despite these advancements, Pakistan ranks low in global internet speed indices. According to Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index, the country is 100th out of 111 countries for mobile internet speeds and 141st out of 158 for broadband speeds, with download speeds of 20.61Mbps and 15.60Mbps, respectively.