Pakistan's Satellite Internet Market could soon welcome Starlink, Kuiper and more

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan is moving toward shift in internet landscape as the government prepares regulations and licensing framework that could bring commercial satellite broadband services to some of the country's most poorly connected regions. The move could pave the way for global satellite operators, including Starlink, Amazon's Project Kuiper and other international companies to compete in Pakistan's broadband market, potentially bringing high-speed internet to communities that conventional fiber and mobile networks have struggled to reach. The development comes as Pakistan attempts to close a persistent digital divide between urban and rural populations. The central attraction of satellite broadband is geography. Building fiber networks and mobile towers across mountainous terrain, sparsely populated districts and remote parts of Balochistan can require enormous investment. Satellite networks, particularly low-Earth-orbit (LEO) systems, can bypass much of this infrastructure challenge. With a suitable satellite terminal and a clear view of the sky, users in remote locations could potentially access broadband without waiting for extensive terrestrial infrastructure to be built. For Pakistan, this could mean a village that has struggled with weak mobile coverage, a school without reliable internet or a rural clinic with no dependable connection could potentially gain access to significantly faster broadband. LEO systems can provide speeds ranging from tens to hundreds of Mbps, with comparatively low latency, making them suitable for applications that require more than basic connectivity. Pakistani government has already taken a step toward bringing international satellite operators into the country. In March 2025, Starlink, the satellite internet company operated by SpaceX, received provisional registration from the Pakistani government. The registration allows the company to prepare ground infrastructure and work through the remaining regulatory requirements. Starlink is not the only company interested in Pakistan. Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB) has indicated that OneWeb, Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology and Sateliot have also approached the regulator regarding registration. Amazon's Project Kuiper has separately expressed plans to launch satellite broadband services in Pakistan by the end of 2026. Its proposed investment includes ground infrastructure such as gateways and points of presence. The arrival of several operators could turn Pakistan into a new competitive market for satellite connectivity. Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja has described satellite broadband as an increasingly important part of Pakistan's digital strategy. In a written reply to the Senate, she said PSARB has prepared draft Satellite Communications Regulations, while the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has developed a licensing framework for Fixed Satellite Services. The government says the proposed framework is intended to follow international best practices and create a transparent and investment-friendly environment for satellite operators. If finalized, the rules could establish the regulatory conditions under which international satellite companies can provide commercial services in Pakistan. Pakistan's internet penetration has grown sharply over recent years. Household internet access increased from roughly 34% in 2018–19 to around 69–70% in 2024–25. But the national numbers hide a major urban-rural divide. More than 80pc of urban households have internet access compared with around 61% of rural households. About 61% of Pakistan's population lives in rural areas, meaning millions of people remain in communities where connectivity is weaker or less reliable. Individual internet usage also remains significantly below household access levels, particularly in rural areas. The problem is not simply whether a mobile signal exists. Affordability, access to smartphones and computers, electricity, digital skills and the quality of available networks all influence whether people can actually participate in the digital economy. Pakistan's most difficult connectivity problems are concentrated in areas where traditional infrastructure is expensive to build. Mountainous regions and other remote areas often have low population densities and challenging terrain. Extending fiber to these locations can be commercially unattractive, while connecting mobile towers to high-capacity backhaul can also be difficult. For healthcare facilities, connectivity could make telemedicine and remote specialist consultations more practical. Rural medical centers could communicate with specialists in major cities and access digital medical resources without relying on slow or unreliable connections. Government services and digital financial platforms could also reach communities that are currently excluded from many online services.