Pakistan is gearing up to launch its first satellite-based Internet service, with Starlink owner Elon Musk expected to begin operations in the country by the end of this year.
Starlink has formally agreed to update the Pakistani laws in the upcoming National Satellite Regulatory Framework, signaling the first major step towards integrating global satellite Internet into the country’s digital landscape.
According to the officials, the Pakistan Space Activity Regulatory Board is in the final stages of developing a framework aligned with international best practices. Once finalized, Starlink will be registered and licensed by the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority.
In this regard, a high-level workshop was organized last month at a local hotel in Islamabad. Global satellite and telecom giants like Amazon, OneWeb, and Shanghai Telecom, alongside Federal IT Minister Shaza Fatima, were present at the workshop. Several companies had expressed interest in Starlink or were the first to submit a registration request officially.
Read more: Pakistan grants NOC to Starlink
Once launched, Starlink is expected to provide high-speed, low-latency Internet even in the most remote and mountainous regions of Pakistan, which will bridge the digital divide in areas long underserved by traditional broadband providers. Officials believe this move could boost economic activities, enhance social integration, education, and health care access, and support Pakistan’s push for digital inclusion and smart governance.
Earlier, in March this year, Starlink was given a temporary No Objection Certificate (NOC) to operate in Pakistan, says the Ministry of Information Technology.
Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by Starlink Services, LLC, an international telecommunications provider owned by a subsidiary of an American aerospace company on X. Services operates in over 100 countries and territories. Tech billionaire Elon Musk owns the company.
Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Authority (PSARA) issued an NOC after clearance from the Ministry of IT. The NOC claims Starlink has met all regulatory requirements. Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is expected to issue licenses to Starlink within the next two weeks. Starlink has already submitted its application for a license to the PTA.