ISLAMABAD: Starlink’s efforts to establish satellite internet services in Pakistan have hit a new obstacle as its temporary registration with the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB) has expired, according to official sources.
This expiration has further postponed the licensing process for the global satellite internet provider, which is eager to operate within the country. Sources indicate that Starlink was granted temporary registration with PSARB on March 21 but has yet to secure permanent approval — a prerequisite mandated by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for obtaining an operational license.
The temporary registration lapsed in June, and the company has not met the necessary conditions for permanent registration, a government official confirmed. Starlink Responds to Regulatory ChallengesRepresentatives from Starlink have acknowledged the lapse of their temporary registration. They stated that the company is currently assessing the situation internally and has yet to issue an official statement.
Sources within the company reveal that Starlink is waiting for the Pakistani government to clarify its policy framework regarding the commercial rollout of satellite-based internet services before taking any further steps.
Earlier reports from March indicated that the PTA had issued a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) to Starlink, a key milestone for launching satellite internet in Pakistan. The PSARB had also approved this NOC, which was a necessary step for Starlink to apply for a telecom license. This approval was reportedly given following directives from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, emphasizing the government’s focus on expanding digital connectivity.
Starlink, which registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), had formally applied for a telecom license on February 24, 2022. The case was subsequently referred to the Ministry of IT for further consultation in March 2022
