The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) has asked Pakistan’s space research body, the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), the Aviation Division, and other stakeholders for their thoughts on whether or not Starlink should be approved.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has verified that Starlink, a US-based broadband service provider, has sought for a license, but its issuance remains questionable due to a dispute with the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications.
Elon Musk’s spaceflight firm, Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, operates the Starlink satellite internet network in the United States (SpaceX). It is made up of numerous satellites that circle the Earth at a considerably closer distance (about 550 kilometers) and cover the entire world while offering high-speed satellite internet.
According to ministry sources, the government has written SUPARCO, the Aviation Division, and other stakeholders for license consultation, and a decision will be made after all stakeholders have been contacted.
They went on to say that the licence issue is tied to security concerns because an attacker might simply intercept such communication and modify the data sent, which is why the ministry is being cautious.
Many governments are hesitant to licence Starlink, some have refused to license it, and some have even halted licences due to security concerns, according to the report.
Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, and other large countries have refused to grant Starlink a licence, while India is unsure.
Starlink’s licence in France was recently cancelled by France’s highest administrative court, citing monopolization concerns due to the company’s size and scale of activities.
On January 28, the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) barred Starlink from accepting pre-order bookings from potential Pakistani customers.
Citing the company’s lack of a licence to provide internet services in Pakistan. Starlink’s advance booking is closed, according to the PTA, and its name has been deleted off the former’s website.
To read our blog “Crew of the first private voyage to ISS has returned to Earth,” click here
