Elon Musk’s Starlink is on the verge of entering Pakistan’s telecom market, promising high-speed satellite internet across the country—but first, it has to clear some financial and regulatory hurdles.
💰 The Price of Entry
To get the green light from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Starlink must:
✔ Pay 640,000∗∗inlicensingfees✔Submitahefty∗∗10 million bank guarantee (or equivalent in PKR)
A company representative recently met with PTA officials to discuss these financial commitments, signaling that Starlink is serious about launching in Pakistan.
📜 Licenses & Fees: Breaking It Down
Starlink has applied for:
🔹 14 Local Loop (LL) licenses (for regional coverage)
🔹 1 Long Distance International (LDI) license (for global connectivity)
Here’s what they’ll pay:
- $500 application fee
- $10,000 per region for LL licenses
- $500,000 for the LDI license
- Plus, additional charges for radio frequency allocation
📋 Regulatory Checklist
Before getting approval, Starlink must submit:
✅ Company incorporation documents
✅ Details of directors & shareholders (with no conflicts of interest)
✅ Proof that directors have no major criminal records
✅ Legal declaration that the company isn’t a PTA defaulter
⏳ What’s Next?
Once Starlink completes payments and paperwork, the PTA will issue the licenses—clearing the way for its official launch.
🌍 A Game-Changer for Pakistan?
Starlink could revolutionize internet access, especially in remote and underserved areas. But for now, the ball is in Starlink’s court—will they meet the requirements and bring high-speed satellite internet to Pakistan?
Stay tuned for updates! 🛰️💡
