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Pakistan has built much of the regulatory foundation for satellite broadband, but the rollout of Starlink and other LEO operators remains tied to PSARB rules, licensing requirements, security controls and unresolved institutional issues.
Pakistan’s push to introduce satellite-based internet services is entering a critical regulatory phase, with the country’s licensing framework largely developed but the final rules governing Low Earth Orbit (LEO) operators still creating uncertainty for global satellite companies.
Dawn’s highlights how the arrival of LEO broadband has disrupted Pakistan’s traditional division between space regulation and terrestrial telecommunications. Historically, satellite connectivity was largely limited to business and institutional users, while the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) focused on terrestrial telecom services and SUPARCO handled space-related matters.
The commercialisation of LEO broadband has changed that landscape. Dawn notes that when Starlink first engaged with PTA in December 2021, “there was no framework to govern it,” prompting Pakistan to develop new policies and regulatory mechanisms. The National Space Policy was subsequently approved, followed by Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB) rules and a PTA Fixed Satellite Services licensing framework.
Under the framework, satellite operators would be able to provide broadband, backhaul, bandwidth and corporate connectivity. However, operators would need to establish a local presence, obtain the required approvals and build gateway infrastructure inside Pakistan. Domestic traffic would also have to be routed through local gateways, with user data retained within the country.
Dawn describes the detailed PSARB regulatory framework as “the final piece remaining,” suggesting that this unresolved stage is now one of the biggest barriers to commercial deployment.
ProPakistani that PTA had introduced its Fixed Satellite Services licensing framework to enable satellite internet providers to offer services directly to consumers. The framework is intended to simplify the licensing route for operators such as Starlink, Amazon’s Project Kuiper and OneWeb.
The commercial opportunity is significant, particularly for remote and underserved areas where fibre and conventional mobile infrastructure are difficult or expensive to deploy. PTA has previously highlighted satellite broadband as a potential solution for improving connectivity in regions with limited terrestrial infrastructure.
At the same time, Pakistan’s approach places considerable emphasis on security, lawful interception, data localisation and regulatory oversight. Dawn notes that operators would need interception capabilities and local gateways before launching services, requirements that reflect the government’s concerns about monitoring satellite-based traffic.
Another issue is the institutional structure. Dawn raises concerns over PSARB’s composition and the role of SUPARCO, arguing that the concentration of security and space-sector representation could create questions about independence and competition.
The regulatory complexity is particularly important because several international operators are interested in entering Pakistan. Dawn identifies Starlink, Amazon’s Kuiper and China’s Qianfan among companies seeking licences.
Pakistan has therefore reached a point where the technical and licensing foundations for satellite broadband are increasingly in place, but the speed of commercial deployment will depend on how quickly PSARB finalises its rules and resolves institutional and regulatory bottlenecks.
For consumers, businesses and underserved communities, the stakes are high: satellite broadband could expand connectivity beyond the reach of conventional networks. But until the remaining regulatory framework is completed, the arrival of widespread satellite internet in Pakistan remains a work in progress.
