Starlink receives NOC for internet services in Pakistan

Pakistan is set to enter the satellite internet spectrum as Starlink, a global satellite internet provider, has obtained a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to launch its services, News reported.

Sources revealed that Starlink met all the requirements set by the regulatory board. The Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board issued the NOC after receiving clearance from the Interior Ministry.

Sources revealed that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will likely issue a license to Starlink within the next two weeks.

Starlink has submitted its technical and business plans to the PTA and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and the Pakistan Software Export Board.

The company has completed three registration stages in Pakistan, with the final step awaiting the PTA’s issuance of a license.

Once the PTA issues the license, Starlink will launch its services in Pakistan, delivering high-speed internet to remote and underserved areas. The company has designed its services to operate seamlessly without disrupting existing networks.

Pakistan strengthened space communication by introducing its National Satellite Policy in 2023 and Space Activities Rules in 2024.

Pakistan’s IT Minister Confirms Starlink’s Temporary Registration:

The government has granted Starlink temporary registration in Pakistan, following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directives, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja stated.

In a statement, the minister said, “With the consensus of all security and regulatory bodies, Starlink has been issued a temporary No Objection Certificate (NOC).”

She added that “the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) would oversee compliance with fee payments and other licensing requirements by the company.”

Shaza Fatima stated that Pakistan is achieving significant progress in digital transformation under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership.

“The Prime Minister has directed comprehensive reforms to enhance Pakistan’s internet infrastructure, and Starlink’s registration is a major step forward in this journey,” she added.

Calling the approval for satellite-based internet services a milestone, the minister said, “Modern solutions like satellite internet will greatly enhance connectivity, particularly in underserved and remote areas of the country.”

She emphasized that the government took a “whole-of-government” approach, collaborating closely with all relevant institutions to facilitate Starlink’s registration. She acknowledged the pivotal roles of cybercrime and security agencies, the PTA, and the Space Authority in this process.

Shaza Fatima expressed confidence that Starlink’s entry into Pakistan would officially launch satellite internet services, ushering in a new era of digital connectivity and reducing the digital divide.

Starlink:

SpaceX, a private aerospace manufacturer and space transport company founded by Elon Musk, developed Starlink as a satellite internet constellation. This network of thousands of small satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) aims to deliver fast, reliable, and global internet connectivity.

This innovative technology can revolutionize internet access, particularly in remote and underserved areas where traditional fiber-optic and cellular networks remain limited or unavailable.

The Starlink constellation delivers high-speed internet connectivity with latency as low as 20 ms, matching or even surpassing many existing fiber-optic networks.

Each Starlink satellite uses a phased array antenna to communicate with multiple users simultaneously, creating a high-capacity and flexible network. Starlink enables users to access fast and reliable internet from virtually anywhere in the world, marking a significant advancement in global connectivity and digital inclusion.