Pakistan nears approval of satellite internet licensing framework

Pakistan is nearing the launch of a commercial satellite internet market as its fixed satellite services licensing framework enters its final stages. The framework is expected to be presented to the Federal Cabinet shortly.

Federal Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja stated that the initiative aims to provide broadband connectivity to underserved and remote regions, including Balochistan’s highlands, Gilgit-Baltistan’s mountain valleys, and various rural areas where conventional fiber and 4G infrastructure are unavailable.

Several global satellite operators have expressed interest in the market, including SpaceX’s Starlink, OneWeb, Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology, and Sateliot. Starlink has already completed its registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). The government has advised other interested companies to complete their SECP registration to establish a local corporate presence before proceeding with regulatory approvals from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB).