ISLAMABAD 31 August 2024 (TDI): The Ministry of IT and Telecommunication has revealed that Elon Musk’s satellite internet company, Starlink, has not been issued a license to operate in the country due to non-compliance with regulatory requirements. In a written response to the National Assembly, the ministry stated that Starlink has failed to address technical and regulatory concerns raised by various stakeholders.
Starlink, along with other satellite broadband companies, has expressed interest in entering the Pakistani market. However, none of these companies, including Starlink, have met the necessary licensing requirements. Starlink had submitted an application for broadband services in February 2022, which was reviewed by relevant stakeholders, including the Frequency Allocation Board, SPD, SPARCO, and other national agencies.
The ministry highlighted concerns regarding non-geostationary satellites and low Earth orbit issues, as well as potential interference with geostationary satellites. These concerns were raised by various agencies and have not been addressed by Starlink. The company’s application was the first of its kind for non-stationary satellites in Pakistan, and the lack of a registration mechanism also contributed to delays in processing the application.
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In December 2023, the Pakistani government approved the National Space Policy, followed by the approval of the Pakistan Space Rules in February 2024. Starlink is now proceeding with the registration process under the National Space Policy and has also applied for an LDI license in Pakistan. The ministry is also in talks with local companies for Starlink to initiate operations in the country.
The ministry’s response clarifies that Starlink’s license application has not been rejected, but rather delayed due to non-compliance with regulatory requirements. The company is working to address these concerns and move forward with its registration process.
