Pakistan has taken another important step toward introducing satellite-based internet services, with six local and international companies registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). However, several regulatory and security requirements remain incomplete. Companies including Starlink, Galaxy Space, and Space Cell Pakistan are awaiting security clearances, while authorities have clarified that commercial services cannot begin until all necessary approvals and licences are obtained.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is moving closer to the introduction of satellite internet services as interest from local and international technology companies continues to grow.
According to information shared by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) with a Senate standing committee, six satellite internet companies have been registered in the country.
The development represents progress toward expanding Pakistan’s internet infrastructure and potentially providing connectivity to areas where traditional broadband and mobile networks remain limited.
SECP officials informed the committee that four new companies registered after the establishment of the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB).
The growing number of registered companies indicates increasing commercial interest in Pakistan’s satellite communications sector.
However, the commission clarified that registration alone does not authorize a company to launch commercial satellite internet services.
Before beginning operations, companies must complete several regulatory procedures and obtain the required approvals from relevant government institutions.
One of the most important requirements is obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board.
PSARB is responsible for regulating relevant space-related activities in Pakistan under the applicable legal framework.
According to the SECP, companies cannot proceed with commercial satellite internet operations without completing the necessary approval process.
The commission also provided an update on the status of several companies seeking to enter the Pakistani market.
Starlink, Galaxy Space, and Space Cell Pakistan are among the companies whose foreign directors and shareholders are awaiting security clearance from the Ministry of Interior.
Officials explained that these pending clearances have prevented further progress in their regulatory approval process.
Once the Ministry of Interior completes the required security checks, the companies will need to obtain the necessary NOC from PSARB.
Following these approvals, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will handle the licensing process in accordance with the applicable regulations.
Only after completing all security, regulatory, and licensing requirements will companies be able to introduce commercial satellite internet services in Pakistan.
This means that while six companies have been registered, they have not necessarily received permission to begin providing internet connections to customers.
The development has attracted attention because satellite internet technology offers an alternative to conventional internet infrastructure.
In Pakistan, most internet users currently rely on mobile networks, fiber-optic broadband, and other terrestrial communication systems.
These networks require physical infrastructure, including underground cables, transmission equipment, and mobile towers.
However, extending such infrastructure to remote mountainous regions, deserts, and sparsely populated areas can be difficult and expensive.
Satellite internet technology can help overcome some of these geographical challenges.
Instead of depending entirely on terrestrial networks, satellite internet uses communication satellites orbiting the Earth to transmit and receive data.
Users generally connect through specialized ground equipment that communicates with satellites, allowing internet access in locations where conventional networks may not be readily available.
The technology could be particularly useful for remote communities in Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan, and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Many areas in these regions face challenges related to limited broadband infrastructure, difficult terrain, and inconsistent mobile network coverage.
If satellite internet services become commercially available at affordable prices, they could help improve connectivity for residents, businesses, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities.
Students in remote areas could potentially gain better access to online classes and digital educational resources.
Businesses could use improved connectivity for online transactions, communication, and access to digital markets.
Healthcare facilities in underserved locations could also benefit from more reliable internet connections for communication and certain remote medical services.
However, these potential benefits will depend on the quality, coverage, affordability, and reliability of the services eventually introduced.
Satellite internet is not a single technology with identical performance across all providers.
Different companies use different satellite networks, orbital systems, and technical arrangements.
Some satellite internet providers operate networks of low Earth orbit satellites, which travel relatively close to the planet compared with traditional geostationary satellites.
Low Earth orbit systems can offer lower communication delays, making them suitable for activities such as video calls, online meetings, and other interactive internet applications.
Starlink is one of the internationally recognized companies using this type of satellite network.
Other providers may use different satellite technologies and business models depending on their services and target customers.
In Pakistan, the exact technology, coverage plans, and commercial packages of the registered companies have not been fully detailed in the supplied report.
Another major question concerns the cost of satellite internet services.
Consumers may need specialized equipment, including a satellite terminal or antenna, depending on the provider.
Such equipment can involve an initial purchase cost in addition to monthly subscription charges.
However, the prices of satellite internet equipment and monthly packages for Pakistan have not been confirmed in the information provided by the SECP.
It is therefore too early to determine whether satellite internet will be affordable for ordinary households or primarily targeted at businesses and institutions during its initial rollout.
The government has also not announced a confirmed date for the commercial launch of these services.
Although the registration of six companies is a significant administrative development, the pending security clearances and regulatory approvals remain important obstacles.
The Ministry of Interior’s review of foreign directors and shareholders is one of the key stages that must be completed before the affected companies can move forward.
After security clearance, the relevant PSARB approval and PTA licensing requirements must also be fulfilled.
The process is intended to ensure that satellite communications services operate within Pakistan’s regulatory and security framework.
The arrival of satellite internet could also create new opportunities within the country’s telecommunications industry.
Additional service providers may introduce new connectivity options and encourage technological investment.
Competition between providers could eventually influence service quality, coverage, and pricing, although the actual market impact cannot be determined before commercial operations begin.
For Pakistan, satellite internet could become an additional method of expanding digital access rather than an immediate replacement for fiber-optic and mobile broadband networks.
Traditional internet infrastructure will continue to play an important role, particularly in densely populated cities where extensive terrestrial networks already exist.
Satellite connectivity may prove especially valuable in regions where installing conventional infrastructure is difficult.
The SECP’s briefing to the Senate standing committee confirms that Pakistan is making progress in establishing the administrative and regulatory framework for satellite internet companies.
However, the distinction between company registration and permission to provide commercial services remains important.
Six companies have been registered, but the necessary approvals for commercial operations are still subject to regulatory procedures.
Starlink, Galaxy Space, and Space Cell Pakistan are among the companies awaiting security clearance involving their foreign directors and shareholders.
Their applications can proceed further once the relevant authorities complete the outstanding requirements.
The next major developments will depend on decisions by the Ministry of Interior, PSARB, and PTA.
For consumers, the biggest unanswered questions remain when satellite internet will officially launch, how much it will cost, and which regions will receive coverage first.
Until the authorities and service providers announce confirmed launch plans, any specific date or pricing information would remain speculative.
Nevertheless, the registration of six satellite internet companies marks an important step toward the possible introduction of new internet connectivity services in Pakistan.
If the remaining procedures are completed successfully, satellite internet could help expand digital access, particularly in remote and underserved regions of the country.