A delegation of US-based global satellite broadband provider, Starlink, visited Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Headquarters in Islamabad.
The delegation consisted of Director Middle East & Asia, Ryan Goodnight, and Head of Global Site Acquisition, Ben Macwilliam. PTA revealed the news through its official Twitter account.
The Starlink delegation met with Chairman PTA, Maj General Amir Azeem Bajwa (R), and Executive Director, Frequency Allocation Board.
Read more: PTA hints at making off-net calls cheaper
“During the meeting, the two sides discussed matters pertaining to the provision of satellite broadband connectivity in Pakistan and Starlink’s future plans for connecting Pakistan to their global network,” the statement by PTA read.
Chairman PTA apprised Starlink representatives about PM’s vision of Digital Pakistan & prospects in Pakistan’s evolving market for quality broadband internet. He also assured them about PTA’s support in line with a regulatory framework for Starlink’s operations in Pakistan.
Press Release: US based global satellite broadband provider Starlink’s Director Middle East & Asia, Mr. Ryan Goodnight and Head of Global Site Acquisition Mr. Ben Macwilliam visited PTA Headquarters, Islamabad today. pic.twitter.com/d8JeArBrC2
— PTA (@PTAofficialpk) December 13, 2021
To clarify, Starlink is launched by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk which aims to sell internet connections to almost anyone on the planet by way of a growing network of private satellites orbiting overhead. After years of development within SpaceX, Elon Musk revealed that Starlink shipped more than 100,000 satellite internet terminals to customers in 14 countries.
The idea of Starlink possibly providing internet to Pakistan is a welcoming one. Consequently, the direct connection will bypass physical infra hurdles. In the same line, earlier, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Communication Dr. Shahbaz Gill advised the PTA to take action against internet service providers that were providing shoddy internet service to consumers.
Tesla coming to Pakistan?
Tesla is also one of Elon Musk’s lucrative ventures. Earlier this year, the media reported that PM Khan will meet with the executives at Tesla Motors to discuss investment opportunities in the Pakistani Electric Vehicle (EV) market.
The news came from the renowned tv anchor, journalist, and columnist, Sabir Shakir, via a video clip shared on Javed Afridi’s social media page.
In the video, Shakir states that Afridi, who is a key stakeholder in MG Pakistan, already held a couple of meetings with the officials at Tesla Motors. He said that the world’s largest EV maker already expressed interest in investing in Pakistan.
Read more: Tesla EV sales boom in Singapore, pushing rivals’ models off the streets
Additionally, under Pakistan’s new EV policy, the government announced a number of benefits and incentives.