The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued a draft licensing framework for Fixed Satellite Services (FSS), paving the way for global and local satellite internet providers, including Elon Musk’s Starlink, to formally operate in the country.
The draft license, released after stakeholder consultations held in February 2025, introduces a simplified, non-exclusive model under which companies can establish, maintain, and operate satellite systems. The scope covers Fixed Earth Stations, Gateway Earth Stations, and Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSAT), enabling broadband, backhaul, intranet, and satellite bandwidth services.
PTA said the new framework reduces entry costs and streamlines approvals. Companies will now pay a one-time fee of $500,000 for a 15-year license, replacing the previous requirement of 15 separate licenses costing $640,000. Operators must roll out services within 18 months of approval and set up at least one Gateway Earth Station in Pakistan.
The license also requires compliance with local data laws, ensuring all user data remains within Pakistan. Providers must contribute 1.5% of gross revenues to the Universal Service Fund, along with 0.5% each for spectrum usage and annual license fees.
Before applying, satellite operators must register with the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB), established under the 2024 Pakistan Space Activities Rules. The PSARB is developing a regulatory framework on licensing, safety, frequency coordination, and data protection, building on the National Space Policy approved in 2023.
The draft is open for public comments until September 19, 2025, on PTA’s website. Industry observers said the move could transform connectivity in underserved regions and attract global players such as Starlink, OneWeb, and Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology to Pakistan’s market.
