IT Ministry Reveals Reasons for Delay in Starlink's Launch in Pakistan
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoIT&T) has clarified why Elon Musk’s Starlink has not yet launched its services in Pakistan. The main hurdle remains the lack of a necessary operating license.
In a recent statement to the National Assembly, the Ministry explained that the approval process for Starlink’s license has been delayed due to non-compliance with Pakistan’s technical and regulatory requirements. A major concern is the potential interference between Geostationary Satellite Orbit (GSO) and Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit (NGSO) systems.
Starlink, a SpaceX subsidiary, had registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) in December 2021 as “Starlink Internet Services Pakistan (Private) Ltd.” and applied for a Long Distance and International (LDI) license with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in February 2022. Despite the anticipation surrounding Starlink’s entry, no satellite broadband provider, including Starlink, has yet met all licensing requirements for commercial operation.
The Ministry also noted that Starlink is not the only satellite broadband provider interested in Pakistan. Other international Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellite operators have expressed similar interests. All such companies must comply with technical, regulatory, and security requirements set by the PTA and the Frequency Allocation Board (FAB).
