Starlink satellites are already passing over Pakistan every few minutes, but homes and businesses still cannot access the service.
The issue is increasingly becoming a question of regulation, policy and licensing, rather than satellite technology or launch costs.
Why Fibre Cannot Reach Everyone
Pakistan had around 164 million broadband connections by the end of FY26, with nearly 97% operating through mobile networks. Fixed broadband stood at only about 4.4 million connections.
Fibre connections have grown significantly, reaching around 2.88 million in FY26 from roughly 100,000 in FY19. However, fibre coverage remains concentrated in urban areas because connecting individual homes can cost between PKR 60,000 and 120,000.
This makes fibre expansion difficult in lower-density and underserved areas.
Starlink Offers A Different Option
Traditional geostationary satellites operate roughly 36,000 kilometres above Earth and can have round-trip delays exceeding 250 milliseconds. Starlink’s low-Earth-orbit satellites operate at around 550 kilometres, significantly reducing latency.
The satellites move around Earth roughly every 95 minutes, with one satellite handing coverage to another as it moves across the sky.
In many countries, satellite broadband has been used alongside terrestrial networks, particularly in areas where fibre and traditional broadband infrastructure are difficult or expensive to deploy.
The Regulatory Roadblock
Starlink received a reported NOC from the Pakistan Satellite Authority Regulatory Board (PSARB) in March 2025, but the approval was later reported to have been cancelled.
The company is now waiting for PSARB to finalise its regulatory framework. Key issues such as local gateways, data localisation and lawful interception need clear rules before commercial services can move forward.
Questions Over PSARB
The structure of PSARB has also attracted criticism. Its board gives significant representation to the security and space establishment, while private telecom companies, universities and other industry stakeholders do not have direct representation.
Critics have also raised concerns about SUPARCO’s role because it operates the PSARB secretariat while also managing satellite-related activities.
Geopolitics Adds Another Layer
Pakistan’s relationship with China and China’s growing interest in satellite technology could also influence how the country approaches Starlink.
Bangladesh, by comparison, reportedly used its existing telecom regulator to facilitate Starlink’s rollout within seven months.
For Pakistan, the challenge now is to establish a transparent regulatory framework that addresses national security and data concerns without unnecessarily delaying access to new broadband technology.
The Real Test Is Policy
Starlink technology is already capable of providing satellite internet coverage over Pakistan. The bigger question is whether Pakistan can create a regulatory system that allows the technology to operate while protecting legitimate national interests.
How satellite internet develops in Pakistan may ultimately depend less on what is happening in space and more on the regulatory decisions being made on the ground.