While Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has granted permissionto the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) tointroduce Starlink Internet Services in Pakistan, it has come to light thatthe company has not yet completed all the necessary terms, conditions, andcodal formalities in alignment with the government’s policy directives.
Official sources have disclosed that various stakeholders, including lawenforcement agencies, are currently assessing the new satellite technologyimplemented by Starlink in Low Earth Orbit. Remarkably, no South Asiannation has thus far authorized Starlink to operate within its satellitespace, and an evaluation of its technical features is underway.
Caretaker Federal Minister for Information Technology andTelecommunication, Dr. Umar Saif, asserted on Wednesday that Prime MinisterKakar had endorsed the Ministry of Information Technology andTelecommunication’s plan, which aims to boost exports, bring Starlink andPayPal to Pakistan, and launch Starlink in the country to enhancenationwide connectivity.
However, Starlink’s business model involves payment in USD, anon-collaborative approach with country-specific satellite programs, andunique technology features such as laser usage for satellite-to-satellitecommunication and global roaming, as indicated in Starlink’s tweets. Theseaspects may potentially clash with the current regulatory framework, asnoted by technical experts.
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, inconjunction with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), isactively engaging with all relevant stakeholders to evaluate the technicaldetails presented by Starlink. This evaluation is being conducted throughappropriate channels, including the Space and Upper Atmosphere ResearchCommission (SUPARCO).
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Ultimately, the PTA will issue the license required to operate in Pakistan,subject to final approval by the government and compliance with existingregulatory provisions, including the Long Distance and International (LDI)and Local Loop (LL) licenses, which permit the provision of satellite-basedtelecommunication services in their respective licensed regions.
Starlink Internet Services Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd (Starlink), owned by StarlinkHoldings Netherlands BV, applied for an LDI license for Pakistan onFebruary 24, 2022, and submitted 14 LL license applications for all telecomregions of Pakistan on April 29, 2022. The company’s progress in obtainingauthorization to operate in Pakistan remains contingent on variousassessments and regulatory processes.
