Five major international satellite internet providers — OneWeb (Eutelsat Group), Amazon’s Project Kuiper, SpaceCell (SSST), Starlink, and Telesat — have been preparing to offer high-speed satellite broadband across Pakistan. These companies have expressed strong interest in investing millions of dollars to improve digital connectivity, particularly in underserved and remote areas where traditional infrastructure is limited. However, their plans remain stalled as Pakistan’s satellite internet launch faces mounting bureaucratic delays.
Sources informed ProPakistani that various federal institutions are creating procedural hurdles, holding up the companies’ efforts to enter the market. While the Ministry of IT and Telecom has been expected to play a facilitative role, it appears unable to resolve the institutional deadlock that is slowing approvals and policy clarity. This gridlock threatens to undermine the Prime Minister’s Digital Pakistan vision, which aims to expand connectivity and boost the country’s digital infrastructure. Without swift action, the government’s timeline for rolling out satellite broadband services may face significant setbacks.
At the heart of the delays is the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB), which oversees licensing and regulatory matters related to space activities. The registration process for all five satellite internet providers has reportedly slowed due to PSARB’s pace and the absence of a finalized regulatory framework for satellite broadband. Although PSARB officials have confirmed that a draft regulatory framework has been prepared and that stakeholder consultations are underway, additional time is required before formal approval can be granted. Until then, international operators remain on hold, unable to begin commercial operations.
This delay comes at a pivotal time for Pakistan’s space and communications sector. In December 2023, the country approved its first National Space Policy, followed by the introduction of Pakistan Space Activities Rules in February 2024, which established PSARB to regulate the sector. These developments were seen as important steps toward opening the country’s space domain to private and international operators, potentially accelerating digital transformation and connectivity. Yet, the current regulatory bottlenecks risk slowing progress, deterring foreign investment, and postponing access to high-speed satellite internet for communities across the country.
Industry insiders warn that if the regulatory framework is not finalized soon, the launch of satellite internet services could be pushed far beyond the government’s stated timeline. Federal IT Minister Shaza Fatima had previously indicated that services might commence by November or December 2025. However, the lack of a clear legal framework now jeopardizes that schedule. Without timely approvals, Pakistan’s plans to modernize its digital landscape with satellite broadband remain uncertain, leaving millions still waiting for advanced connectivity options that could bridge the digital divide.
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