What Happened: The Ministry of Information Technology reports that STARLINK and other satellite broadband companies are aiming to launch in Pakistan, but only STARLINK has applied for the necessary license so far.
What you need to know: The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication informed the National Assembly that satellite broadband companies, including STARLINK and other LEO satellite operators, are making efforts to begin operations in Pakistan. However, none of these companies have yet met the licensing requirements for a commercial launch.
What more: Currently, only STARLINK has applied for an LDI license in Pakistan. In a written reply to Zubair Khan Wazir, Minister of State Shaza Fatima Khawaja stated that while STARLINK has gained significant attention, other international satellite broadband providers (LEO/MEO operators) have also shown interest in entering the Pakistani market. They aim to offer various technologies to meet diverse customer needs, provided they comply with technical, regulatory, and security requirements.
Also: The National Assembly was further informed that any company or telecom service provider wishing to operate in Pakistan must first obtain the necessary registration, licensing, and permissions from regulatory bodies such as the PTA and FAB, while ensuring compliance with national laws.