By Zainab Shafiq 
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk indicated that he awaits permission from the Pakistani government to implement the company’s satellite internet service, Starlink in Pakistan. This was while engaging in a discussion on X (formerly Twitter) with Pakistani social media user Sanam Jamali.
Sanam urged Musk to bring Starlink to Pakistan, saying that it would transform internet access and open up new opportunities for the population. “We are waiting for approval from the government,” Musk replied briefly.
Low-speed internet in Pakistan: Can Elon Musk solve the chaos with Starlink?
Starlink, a division of SpaceX, provides high-speed, low-latency internet connectivity through the deployment of a network of small satellites in LEO. It has been seen as a game-changer for rural and underserved areas where traditional infrastructure fails to reach.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) reportedly confirmed that its discussions are open to Starlink’s request for a license allowing it to enter Pakistan. Meanwhile, the procedures are still fresh.
The process is being further assessed by technical parameters like the bandwidth, which would be necessary for up-linking and other gateway infrastructure whether it complies with national regulations in Pakistan. Moreover, the proposal of Starlink is also assessed by the National Space Agency concerning the national policy of Pakistan on space.
Regulatory approval for foreign satellite services, such as Starlink, goes through several stages of review for compliance with the technical and security standards. Only after these appraisals would the government sanction the license.
This fast and reliable internet will excite everyone around the globe. Its latency is as low as 20 milliseconds, thus rivaling or surpassing most fiber-optic networks currently existing. In Pakistan, if Starlink becomes operational, it would bring the much-needed digital revolution by bridging the digital divide to enhance economic growth and promote more digital inclusion.
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