ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is in the final stages of launching satellite internet services in the country and searching for companies that meet all registration requirements, expected to receive licenses within one to two weeks.
To facilitate the rollout, a dedicated Satellite Directorate has been set up at PTA headquarters in Islamabad. The Directorate, which operates under the Wireless Division, will handle licensing matters for satellite internet service providers and monitor regulatory compliance.
According to PTA sources, the authority has already developed a standardised license format for satellite internet providers, streamlining the application process.
The PTA has also submitted its recommendations regarding regulatory rules to the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SPARCO) Regulatory Body (PSARB). Once these rules are approved and the company registration is complete, the licenses will be issued without any delay.
Authorities confirmed that eligible companies can obtain licenses within one to two weeks after meeting the registration criteria. On August 08, the PTA introduced a major change in the policy, announcing that companies providing satellite internet services will no longer be required to obtain more than one local loop (LL) license.
Under the new framework, a single license will suffice for satellite internet operations across the country. Sources said that the move is in line with the Telecom Policy 2015 and is expected to streamline the regulatory process.
The revised licensing model gives companies like Starlink the option to replace fourteen individual long-distance and international (LDI) licenses with a single national permit. Only satellite internet firms registered with the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB) will be eligible to get the new license.
Earlier, there were reports that several Chinese companies had shown interest in starting satellite internet services in Pakistan after the entry of the American technology company Starlink.
In response, the government has intensified efforts to finalise the regulatory framework required to facilitate such operations. It has directed the relevant agencies to finalise the rules, regulations and license conditions soon.
According to official sources, the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB) has submitted a detailed consultant report to the relevant authorities and institutions, including the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). The report outlines the proposed rules, regulations and license conditions for companies wishing to operate satellite-based internet services in the country.
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