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Pakistan is evaluating a shift from High Earth Orbit (HEO) satellite operators to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) operators to enhance its satellite communications framework. This move could pave the way for global players such as Starlink, OneWeb, and Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology to establish operations in the country.
Despite interest from these LEO operators, Pakistan has yet to grant them operational permissions. The Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB), established under the Pakistan Space Activities Rules 2024, governs the approval process, ensuring alignment with the nation’s legal, security, and economic priorities.
Current Satellite Landscape
Currently, the market of satellite communications in Pakistan is under the influence of international HEO players such as Asiasat, Apstar, and Yahsat. These operators are essential to offering services in a range of sectors of the economy such as telecommunication and broadcasting. However, all these operators are not registered with SECP and they do not follow the local tax laws for carrying out their business activities in Pakistan, this makes the presence of these operators questionable in Pakistani Markets.
Pakistan owns two satellites: PAKSAT-1R, which will soon reach the end of its designed life, and the underutilized PAKSAT-MM1 launched in 2023. With the increasing increase in the demand for satellite-based communication services, the country is evaluating the benefits of LEO technology that provides fast communication, especially in underdeveloped regions.
LEO Technology and Challenges
LEO satellites provide a higher connection level but at the same time involve high costs for satellite manufacturing and deployment of numerous gateway stations to process and transmit data safely. Without these stations, LEO operators cannot offer services because all satellite traffic must be passed through a licensed system to conform to regulations.
As per some reports, Starlink and other LEO players are already in operation in Pakistan, however, industry analyst debunk such rumours. These operators clarify that services can only be turned on once necessary permissions, such as a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the PSARB and subsequent permission from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), are received.
Future Prospects
LEO operators, among which Starlink, used growing interest in their networks that aimed at connecting Pakistani rural areas with highly efficient Internet. Strategies are going to involve major capital expenditure, establishing itself in data centers, fiber optic connectivity, and developing gateway stations eventually.
The satellite industry featuring LEO satellites is also dynamically developing all over the world, and now, Starlink is present in over 100 countries. However, issues like high costs of infrastructure, policies, and regulations, and issues to do with space debris are still felt.
The LEO operators stand a chance to penetrate Pakistan’s satellite market which is stringently controlled based on LEO operators capacity to satisfy the existing legal and strategic necessities in the country. While the satellite industry continues to go through the regulatory process in Pakistan, the role of satellite connectivity in the region remains uncertain and brings to light the challenges of introducing new technologies into a contentious and competitive market.
