Starlink, a US-based global satellite broadband provider, is considering connecting Pakistan to its satellite broadband services.
A delegation of Starlink, led by SpaceX Director Middle East & Asia Ryan Goodnight, met the Minister for IT and Telecom Syed AminulHaque on Tuesday and expressed eagerness in launching satellite internet across Pakistan.
The delegation which also included the company’s head of global site acquisition Ben Macwilliam talked about the opportunities available to the private sector for investment in Pakistan. Both sides also agreed upon the fact that the country needed strong satellite-based internet services in the areas that were unreachable to fiber optics.
A plan to launch Starlink’s satellite broadband internet across Pakistan was one of the key topics of discussion. Starlink Pakistan, already registered in the country, is likely to open its office in Pakistan soon which will be the company’s first operation in South Asia.
The delegation was also briefed about the Balanced Space Satellite Regime of Pakistan, which will expedite the satellite services.
At the meeting, the IT minister Syed Aminul Haque highlighted that with 40,000 schools, small and medium enterprises scaling up their digital presence in the country the broadband demand in Pakistan was on the rise. He said broadband connectivity was an attractive business model and Starlink’s internet would prove effective in enhancing penetration in unserved and underserved areas of the country.
Mr. Haque also explained his ministry’s vision of “Broadband for All”. He said it was aimed at the extensive use of the internet in the public sector, mainly the education sector, and was in conjunction with the Digital Pakistan vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan
Earlier, the team also visited Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Headquarters where they had meeting Pakistan Telecommunication Authority chairman Amir AzeemBajwaand Executive Director, Frequency Allocation Board.
Chairman PTA highlighted PM’s vision of Digital Pakistan and prospects in Pakistan’s evolving market for quality broadband internet in front of the delegates. He also assured Starlink’s representatives about PTA’s assistance in line with administrative framework for Starlink’s operations in Pakistan.