Starlink’s Internet Services Expected in Pakistan by June 2024

Starlink’s internet services are set to be available in Pakistan by June 2024, as discussions with Elon Musk’s company near completion. During a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on IT, the Parliamentary Secretary revealed that the framework for licensing and regulatory processes is almost finalized, and Pakistanis will soon benefit from Starlink’s internet services.

Starlink initially applied for a license in 2022, but the completion of the framework took some time. The committee members expressed frustration over the ongoing internet issues in Pakistan, with some areas still lacking reliable connectivity. Member Ahmed Atiq highlighted that even 40 kilometers outside Lahore, there was no internet access, forcing students to travel to cities for better connectivity.

In response, PTA Chairman stated that telecom companies avoid areas where business is not viable, and the PTA is trying to compel these companies to set up towers in underserved locations. He also acknowledged that the government has not invested enough in the telecom sector despite the PTA contributing 1.7 trillion rupees in revenue over six years.

The committee was informed that India has invested heavily in its telecom infrastructure, with 35 lakh kilometers of fiber optic cables and 13 billion dollars spent on the telecom sector under Prime Minister Modi’s government. In contrast, Pakistan’s telecom infrastructure has remained stagnant despite growing demand.

Barrister Gohar emphasized that Pakistan’s population has reached 250 million, and the telecom infrastructure remains outdated. He suggested that PTA should instruct companies to improve infrastructure to prevent students and others from suffering due to poor connectivity.

The committee recommended that the finalization of agreements with Starlink be expedited to ensure that the services become available in Pakistan as soon as possible.