The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has formally informed the general public that Starlink, a satellite broadband operator, has not sought for or received any license from the PTA to operate and provide internet services in Pakistan.
As a result, the general public is encouraged to desist from placing any pre-booking orders on Starlink or any of its connected websites in their own best interests.
The instructions were issued in response to reports that Starlink is requiring intending subscribers to submit a $99 (refundable) deposit as a pre-order for equipment/services via their website.
PTA has already informed Starlink that it must immediately cease accepting pre-order bookings from intending customers because the company has been denied a license to provide satellite braodband services in Pakistan.
This comes just over a month after Starlink, a US-based global satellite internet provider, announced the opening of its first station in South Asia in Pakistan.
A group from Starlink, a worldwide satellite broadband provider based in the United States, made a visit to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) headquarters in Islamabad in December 2021. Ryan Goodnight, Director Middle East & Asia, and Ben Macwilliam, Head of Global Site Acquisition, were among the participants.
Chairman PTA assured Starlink officials that PTA will assist their operations in conformity with Pakistan’s regulatory framework.
To read our blog on “Elon Musk’s Starlink wants to launch satellite broadband Internet services in Pakistan,” click here.