The satellite-based internet service provider “Starlink” has not yet received a license from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
According to extensive conversations with various parties and important stakeholders, PTA claimed that concerns about Starlink’s operations in Pakistan extend beyond data security to include the company’s business model and technical setup, both of which have not yet been addressed.
In order to ensure that the provision of satellite-based services should be in compliance with the relevant licensing regime, the telecom regulator is in constant contact with American-based satellite service providers.
As a result, users will receive high-quality services, and Pakistan’s already-licensed operators will have their rights upheld.
Price Structure of Starlink Internet Connection
The device used by Starlink to access the network is expected to cost around $700, according to PTA sources, and the company will charge $100 per month for a 100Mbps internet connection package in Pakistan.
As a result, the device price plus first-month subscription revenue will be close to Rs. 200,000 with a subsequent monthly package of Rs. 28,000, which will be the highest price compared to any optical fiber or fixed line operator in Pakistan.
Additionally, because the company now uses credit cards for payment, it will be more difficult for Pakistani users to access the internet from remote locations and who rely less on credit cards and other financial services.
The regional nations with strict satellite regulations that have not yet granted Starlink licenses because of similar worries are also being examined by the telecom regulator.
However, negotiations with the company are still ongoing, and steps are being taken to guarantee that it follows all statutory requirements for the license grant in an open and honest manner.
More technical information is sought, particularly with regard to data hosting within Pakistan and satellite-to-satellite communication bypassing terrestrial gateways.
The company has refrained from accepting any device orders from Pakistani customers using credit cards until the PTA has granted the company a license, according to PTA officials, who claim that all pertinent stakeholders, including Ministry of IT, have been brought on board to analyze the impact of using spectrum in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
To read our blog on “Starlink is still awaiting approval eight months after the change in government due to “security concerns,” click here.
