The entry of global satellite-based internet providers into Pakistan is being delayed by a complex set of regulatory requirements, with multiple government agencies still finalising their respective processes. International companies that have announced their interest, including Starlink and Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology Limited (SSST), are waiting to begin operations, while Pakistan’s plans to expand high-speed connectivity remain on hold. Officials say the slow pace reflects overlapping responsibilities across agencies, security clearances and the absence of a finalised framework for low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet services.
A member of the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB) told Business Recorder on Wednesday that five major firms — Starlink, SSST, OneWeb (Eutelsat Group), Amazon’s Project Kuiper and Canada’s Telesat — have expressed a desire to operate in the Pakistani market. However, PSARB has yet to complete its registration framework for LEO satellite internet services, which is the first step in enabling such operators to launch. The official said the draft regulatory framework remains under stakeholder consultation and will take more time to finalise, reflecting the technical and security issues involved in authorising satellite connectivity at a national level.
Officials from the Ministry of IT and Telecom emphasised that the process involves much more than a simple licensing exercise. Security clearances, inter-agency reviews and coordination with multiple stakeholders are required before approvals can be granted. Industry experts also note that additional bottlenecks exist, including the role of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority in issuing telecom licences and the requirement for timely import permissions for satellite equipment. Without these permissions, companies cannot bring in the ground terminals, antennas and other hardware necessary to offer services to end users. Officials have also highlighted the lack of a clear security oversight mechanism to prevent misuse or breaches of satellite-based networks, which is another reason why approvals are progressing slowly.
Earlier, Federal Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima had said services from satellite-based internet providers were expected to start by November or December, but she did not comment on the recent delays. A senior executive from one of the interested companies said PSARB registration is only the first step, explaining that licensing, security approvals, infrastructure development and import procedures all have to align before services can reach consumers. For now, the absence of a complete regulatory roadmap means Pakistan’s ambition to diversify its internet backbone with satellite-based options is still waiting for clearance, while the global providers keen to enter the market continue to watch developments from the sidelines.
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