Pakistan is moving closer to allowing commercial satellite broadband services as the government prepares new regulations and a licensing framework aimed at expanding internet access to remote and underserved areas. The development could open the country’s connectivity market to several global satellite operators that have already expressed interest in providing services in Pakistan, marking a significant step toward diversifying the country’s internet infrastructure beyond traditional fibre and cellular networks.
The government has already taken concrete steps toward bringing international satellite operators into the market, having granted provisional registration to Starlink, a SpaceX subsidiary, in March 2025 to allow the company to plan ground infrastructure and complete regulatory requirements. The Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board has also confirmed that OneWeb, Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology and Sateliot have approached the regulator regarding registration, pointing to broader interest from the global satellite broadband industry in entering the Pakistani market once the regulatory framework is finalized.
Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja told the Senate that broadband connectivity through satellite has become a key component of Pakistan’s broader digital strategy. In a written reply, she said the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board has prepared the draft Satellite Communications Regulations, while the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has developed the Fixed Satellite Services licensing framework, with both frameworks now moving toward cabinet level approval as the next step in the regulatory process.
Separately, Amazon’s Project Kuiper has expressed plans to launch satellite broadband services in Pakistan by the end of 2026 and establish ground infrastructure, including gateways and points of presence, adding another major global player to the list of companies eyeing the Pakistani market. Shaza said the proposed licensing framework has been designed to follow international best practices and create a transparent, investment friendly environment for satellite operators. The government has said such investments could help improve connectivity in underserved areas while creating new opportunities for the country’s broader technology sector as multiple satellite operators prepare to enter Pakistan’s broadband capacity market.
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