Starlink Applies to Set Up Ground Stations in Pakistan

Elon Musk’s company Starlink has taken steps to establish its presence in Pakistan by registering with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) as “Starlink Internet Services (Private) Limited.” In a written reply to the Senate Standing Committee, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) revealed that Starlink has applied to set up 2-3 ground stations in the country as part of its plan to directly provide internet services to Pakistani consumers via its low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. The company has also submitted applications for the necessary licenses to operate within Pakistan. Starlink applied for a Long-Distance International (LDI) license on February 24, 2022, and 14 Local Loop licenses on April 29, 2022. According to the PTA, the case was forwarded to the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MOITT) in March 2022 for consultation with stakeholders. The Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) has confirmed that Starlink’s satellite constellation operates globally without any reported cases of harmful interference to terrestrial networks. The regulatory framework for satellite-based telecommunication services in Pakistan is guided by the National Satellite Policy 2023 and the Pakistan Space Activities Rules 2024. The National Satellite Policy, approved in December 2023, directs federal and provincial agencies to work under the guidance of the National Space Agency (SUPARCO) to implement satellite-related initiatives. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB) is responsible for registering satellite service providers like Starlink and issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) required for licensing. Under the PSARB’s mandate, all local and foreign satellite service providers must adhere to local and international laws as outlined in the National Communications Authority Rules of 2024. Existing geostationary satellite service providers may maintain operations under current agreements but must eventually transition to national or registered satellites once these agreements expire, as per Rule 35. Starlink’s application to establish ground stations is currently under review by the PSARB, which is conducting a technical evaluation of its Earth Gateway Stations and analyzing the compatibility of Starlink’s satellite network with Pakistan’s existing infrastructure. Once this process is complete, the PTA will grant licenses for Starlink’s internet services, provided all regulatory requirements are fulfilled. The PTA highlighted that while satellite-based telecommunication services can be provided by any licensed operator in Pakistan, direct-to-consumer services are currently unavailable, with operators like PTCL offering bandwidth for point-to-point traffic transportation. Starlink’s entry could transform the sector by extending high-speed internet connectivity to underserved and remote regions of the country, addressing a critical digital gap.