The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoIT&T) of Pakistan has confirmed that Starlink, a prominent satellite broadband service provider, has yet to secure the necessary license to operate in the country.
According to a recent statement submitted to the National Assembly of Pakistan, the license approval has been delayed due to Starlink’s non-compliance with the technical and regulatory framework set by the government. The ministry cited concerns over the potential interference between Geostationary Satellite Orbit (GSO) and Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit (NGSO) systems as a significant factor in the delay.
Official documents revealed that STARLINK and other Satellite Broadband companies/LEO Satellite operators are making significant strives to start operations in Pakistan. However, none has complied with the licensing requirements for the commercial launch of services yet.
Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, has been actively pursuing the launch of its services in Pakistan, having registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) in December 2021 under the name “Starlink Internet Services Pakistan (Private) Ltd.”
The company applied for a Long Distance and International (LDI) license with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in February 2022. Despite the enthusiasm surrounding Starlink’s potential entry into the Pakistani market, the Ministry clarified that no satellite broadband company, including Starlink, has fully met the licensing requirements for a commercial launch.
The Ministry further stated that Starlink is not the only satellite broadband provider showing interest in Pakistan. Other international Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellite operators have also expressed a desire to operate within the country. However, all such companies must first comply with the technical, regulatory, and security requirements set by various national agencies, including the PTA and the Frequency Allocation Board (FAB).
The delay in Starlink’s license approval stems from detailed evaluations conducted by multiple stakeholders, including the Strategic Plans Division (SPD) and the Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO). These agencies raised several concerns related to the technical, regulatory, financial, and commercial aspects of Starlink’s proposed operations.
Despite discussions with Starlink, the company has not yet addressed these concerns to the satisfaction of the stakeholders, resulting in a prolonged licensing process.
The National Space Policy (NSP) of Pakistan was approved by the Government of Pakistan in December 2023, followed by Pakistan Space Activity Rules (PSARB) in February 2024 which are being followed by STARLINK for necessary registration/ approvals in Pakistan and the same are equally applicable to any other NGSO/LEO operators who intend to start operations in Pakistan.
In addition to the technical and regulatory issues, the MoITT highlighted that the process was further complicated by the fact that Starlink’s application was the first of its kind in Pakistan.
The absence of a clear registration and regulatory mechanism, which was only established following the approval of Pakistan’s National Space Policy in December 2023 and the subsequent Pakistan Space Activity Rules (PSARB) in February 2024, contributed to the delay. Starlink is now required to adhere to these new regulations to continue its efforts to obtain the necessary approvals for its services in Pakistan.
Stay Connected with ProPakistani
Get the latest tech news, telecom insights, and product launches wherever you prefer.
Add ProPakistani to Preferred Sources and see more of our stories in Google Search and Top Stories.
Isn’t it awkward our govt compliance with the technical and regulatory framework is more complex for the Starlink for delay in licensing. Or perhaps Starlink cannot be shutdown when ever govt want to?
Starlink is a scam . It doesn’t work anywhere . It’s completely backwards like 90s dial up .
Even musk himself doesn’t use Starlink. It’s expensive and won’t help anyone
When did you use it? And where? Please share evidence of your issues as well
That’s easy . It was shown usage by common sense skeptic who is a data scientist . U can check him on youtube . If I was allowed to show him he I would .
It was tested by common sense skeptic on youtube live in his channel .
He also shared all legal evidence about it on his video on starlink
Our whole nation is already scammed with the hundred of politicians so there is no issue the one more
Why only scammers ? Yeh ek aur sahi landed us here .
Brazil Supreme Court has already issued orders to shut down starlink and cease its assets
It works perfectly. I have tested in several countries around the world. Looks like “Angry Guy” is a military goon who is in favor of shutting down internet and is creating baseless propaganda.
Plz dont get the comment from IT Minister (the politically-inducted woman) about the Starlink network not coming to Pakistan, otherwise she would give lame reasons.
Starling is a scam
1. Is a fraud . Starling is nothing but a completely irrelevant and backwards way of internet access . It’s slower then landline .
2. Musk is known to make exaggerated claims that never work . Starlink is a complete sham
Common sense skeptic had already tested and shown its incompatibility .
Even musk doesn’t use starlink
How is that even relevant? Dial-up-quality internet could still revolutionize the lives of populations that still don’t have internet access. The point is that Pakistan consistency fails to keep up with the rest of the world when it comes to basic tech advancements due to one reason or the other.
Starlink is a scam . Not even musk uses it .
Brazil Supreme Court recently announced restrictions and even ceased starlink assets .
It works perfectly. I have tested in several countries around the world. Looks like “Angry Guy” is a military goon who is in favor of shutting down internet and is creating baseless propaganda.
Please Musk Bro, buy Pakistan…. Leaders are not leaders…. they are businessmen and selling their own country in ever possible way….. So If businessmen are running the country…. It would be better to be run a good businessman like you
Musk would turn everyone in pakistan into a sl@ve . He’s worse.
He laid off 15000 tesla engineers and workers and demanded a 56 billion $ payout from tesla . Despite the fact that tesla has been losing money for last 5 years .
Musk would buy pakistan and sell it to india.
scam? obviously if u have flash fiber available its not a good choice. its a blessing for those who are in far away areas where no other option is available.
BS. They simply don’t want something that they can’t control. That’s why we’re at bottom of Ease of Doing Business index. Too many stakeholders for a license.
Pak govt just want extra taxes,they just want to kill democracy and they don’t wish loose control over us.
Starlink is not willing to pay bribe, that’s why it’s not getting the permission. Grease the palm of the relevant people to get the license.
Starlink would openly pay bribe if they could.
Brazil last pm loved elon musk . Supreme Court of Brazil found out starlink was not flowing any protocol and was under delivering .
U know a product is bad when even it’s creator doesn’t use it.