
State Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Saturday announced that “Starlink is registered, and the licensing is in process.”
Responding to a tweet on X (formerly Twitter) posted by a renowned social media activist requesting that SpaceX CEO Elon Musk offer satellite-based internet services in Pakistan, Musk wrote that the company was awaiting government approval.
“[Following the approval] the space board authority is looking into various technical aspects and we have communicated [about this] to Starlink,” said the IT minister.
A regulatory framework was also being devised to allow all low earth orbit (LEO) satellite companies including Starlink to ensure they're “open to all international companies”, The News cited Khawaja as saying.
“These satellites may interfere in the local frequency so a comprehensive policy is being prepared covering all aspects. We are preparing an overall regulatory regime for such issues. LEO satellite no other country in the region has it yet,” the publication cited government officials as stating.
Mentioning two prominent, China-based consultant firms believed to be excelling in LEO satellite technology, the officials underscored they would be welcome to apply, adding that the process is expected to take months.
Up to six operators are currently offering satellite-based internet services worldwide, and some new players are entering the arena, including Starlink, Amazon, the Chinese company OneWeb, and more.
Reports suggested that the Chinese company also obtained information to bring its services to Pakistan, even in underserved areas where radio towers and fibre cable networks are unavailable.
Only the Maldives has provided Starlink with a license in the South and Southeast Asian region. Other countries, such as Bangladesh and India, are still evaluating the technical components of satellite services from Low Earth Orbit.