Starlink set for registration with ground stations

With its licensing process still pending approval from the Ministry of Interior and an apology required for allegedly defaming the country, Starlink, the satellite internet service by Elon Musk, is taking steps to establish 2-3 ground stations prior to its formal registration.

The company has registered as a private limited entity with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and submitted applications for an LDI and Local Loop license in 2022. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has confirmed that the Frequency Allocation Board has ensured that Starlink’s satellites will not cause interference with existing services. 

However, Starlink’s request for ground stations is still under review by the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PASRB). The PTA has stated that an internet service license will be granted to Starlink once all regulatory requirements are fulfilled. The approval process is based on the National Satellite Policy 2023 and the Pakistan Space Activities Rules 2024. However, the application has sparked controversy. 

Senator Afnan Allah Khan from the Pakistan Muslim League (N) has suggested that Starlink’s license approval should be conditioned on Elon Musk apologizing for his recent anti-Pakistan statements on social media.

During a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology, Senator Anusha Rehman highlighted that the satellite policy was issued during the caretaker government’s tenure. The PTA Chairman clarified that registration with the SECP is mandatory and that the application had already been sent to the Ministry of Interior for security clearance. The PTA is awaiting approval from PASRB before issuing the license. Meanwhile, security concerns related to Starlink’s operations in Pakistan are under review by the new regulatory body, SPD.