Starlink plans ground stations in Pakistan ahead of registration

ISLAMABAD: With its licensing process still pending approval from Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior and an apology required for allegedly defaming the country, Starlink, the satellite internet service by Elon Musk, is taking steps to establish 2-3 ground stations prior to its formal registration.

The company, already registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) as “Starlink Internet Services (Private) Limited,” has outlined these ground stations as an essential part of its planned rollout.

According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Starlink applied for these ground stations in preparation for providing internet services via its low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. This was disclosed during a briefing to the Senate Standing Committee on IT.

Starlink’s licensing journey began with an application for a Long-Distance International (LDI) license on February 24, 2022, followed by 14 Local Loop license requests on April 29, 2022. These applications were referred to the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication in March 2022 for stakeholder consultation and a decision on licensing.

The regulation of satellite-driven telecom services in Pakistan falls under the National Satellite Policy 2023 and the Pakistan Space Activities Rules 2024. The Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) confirmed that Starlink’s global satellite constellation operates without interfering with terrestrial networks or causing harm.

Starlink’s efforts underscore its commitment to bringing satellite internet services to Pakistan, pending regulatory and governmental approvals.