ISLAMABAD, July 12 — The rollout of satellite-based internet services in Pakistan has been postponed as regulators move to finalise a new licensing framework and enhance security protocols for foreign satellite operators. The decision comes in the wake of recent regional conflicts between India and Pakistan, and Iran and Israel, prompting authorities to reassess the strategic implications of foreign-operated satellite communications.
The Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB) is currently working to finalise the country’s first comprehensive Satellite Communications Regulations, following consultations with industry stakeholders during a recent roundtable. These regulations will govern the entry and operation of global players in the local satellite internet market, including Low Earth Orbit (LEO) providers like Starlink, OneWeb, and Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST).
The new framework replaces the temporary no-objection certificate (NOC) regime, which expired in March for previously operating entities like Starlink. Until the new licensing procedure is in place, foreign satellite firms are required to submit fresh applications to gain legal entry into Pakistan’s telecommunications ecosystem.
Once registered under PSARB’s new regulations, applicants must then obtain operational licences from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the national telecom regulator.
According to a PTA official, companies that complete the registration and licensing process could launch their services by the end of 2025. Industry insiders have also hinted that Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX, may attend Starlink’s eventual launch event in Pakistan, reflecting the significance of the country’s emerging LEO internet market.
Starlink, which was the first to apply for registration in Pakistan, already holds regulatory approvals in India. However, progress in Pakistan has stalled due to the absence of a proper licensing regime—something the new rules are intended to address.
A senior official at the Ministry of IT and Telecom confirmed that national security considerations are now central to the regulatory overhaul. “The new regulations will include important security clauses that may have been overlooked if the recent wars had not occurred,” the official said. “Besides, Pakistan needs more than one satellite internet provider, and two more companies have expressed interest.”
Security experts and policymakers have raised concerns about data sovereignty and real-time communications traffic passing through foreign-controlled infrastructure. The revamped rules aim to ensure that any future participation by international satellite providers aligns with national security priorities.
LEO satellite systems such as those operated by Starlink and OneWeb orbit at altitudes below 2,000 kilometers, allowing them to offer high-speed, low-latency broadband services, even in remote or underserved regions. Their latency delay of approximately 25 milliseconds makes them well-suited for modern internet applications, including streaming, gaming, and remote education.
In contrast, Pakistan’s state-owned satellite operator, PakSat, provides internet services via geostationary satellite MM-1, launched in August 2024. Positioned at 37,500 kilometers above the Earth, MM-1 offers broader coverage but suffers from significantly higher latency—around 600 milliseconds—and is thus less competitive for real-time applications.
PakSat currently serves approximately 300 clients, with a maximum capacity of 5,000. Its services cater primarily to the corporate sector, telecom providers, and Pakistan’s armed forces, particularly in remote or conflict-prone regions where terrestrial internet infrastructure remains underdeveloped.
While Pakistan’s indigenous satellite capabilities have steadily evolved, policymakers acknowledge that private sector participation and foreign investment are essential to meet rising demand for digital connectivity, particularly in rural and under-connected areas. However, the government’s preference is to regulate and diversify these offerings under a controlled and secure framework.
By encouraging competition and enforcing stricter operational guidelines, authorities hope to make satellite internet more accessible and affordable—while ensuring that strategic infrastructure remains insulated from foreign control or misuse.
The delay may frustrate early adopters and corporate clients eager to access next-generation broadband, but officials insist that the emphasis on due diligence is necessary to avoid regulatory gaps and protect national interests in a fast-evolving digital landscape.
With multiple providers now vying for entry and public demand for reliable connectivity growing, the successful rollout of LEO satellite internet could mark a transformative chapter in Pakistan’s digital infrastructure—provided that policy coherence and institutional capacity remain aligned with technological advancements.
