Starlink's Launch in Pakistan Delayed Again Amid Regulatory Roadblocks
- Abeera Marium Siddiqui
- April 29, 2025
- 4:26 pm
- 49
- Technology
Starlink’s Pakistan launch has been delayed again. The satellite internet provider is still facing issues with government rules. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has not given a license to Starlink. This is because the company has not yet completed permanent registration with the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB).
PSARB had granted Starlink a temporary registration earlier this year on March 21. But the board said the company must meet all technical and legal needs before it gets a full license. PSARB has hired an international expert to help make the final rules for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite companies. These rules must be ready before a checklist for full registration is created.
PTA has clearly stated it cannot give a license based on temporary registration. The authority is waiting for Starlink’s Pakistan launch to be properly registered with PSARB. Only then will the licensing process start. Until that happens, Starlink is not allowed to officially offer services in Pakistan.
Starlink officials said they are still waiting. They said, “only the government and PTA can provide full clarity on the reasons for the delay.” Even with this delay, Starlink is still working on its system and setups. But no one knows the exact launch date yet.
IT Minister Shaza Fatima had earlier told the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology that satellite internet was expected by November or December 2025. She also named Shanghai Space as another big company in the future satellite internet market. But now this new delay could push the launch date even further.
The PTA Chairman also said earlier that once the LEO satellite rules are ready, Starlink’s temporary registration would be changed to a full license. But since the rules are still not final, Starlink’s Pakistan launch remains without a confirmed date.
Some experts in the industry believe Starlink plans to offer three internet packages in Pakistan once it is approved:
- Residential Package – Rs35,000/month (50–250 Mbps) with a one-time hardware fee of Rs110,000
- Business Package – Rs95,000/month with a setup cost of Rs220,000
- Mobility Package – Rs50,000/month with hardware costing Rs120,000
These packages promise fast satellite internet. But the high prices are making people question if most Pakistanis can afford them.
Even after getting a license, Starlink will face other problems. It will need to build ground stations, get security approvals, and make sure it works well with Pakistan’s existing telecom system. Satellite internet services also need extra approvals for spectrum use. This could cause even more delays.
For now, Starlink continues its work in the background. But without final approval from PSARB and PTA, Starlink’s Pakistan launch remains on hold.
