'Starlink may be launched by year-end'

IT minister says provisional licence issued; full approval pending as authorities tackle regulatory, spectrum hurdles

ISLAMABAD:

Federal IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Monday announced that a provisional license has been issued to Starlink to provide satellite-based internet services in Pakistan, and the service could become available in the country by November or December this year.

Speaking during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on IT and Telecom, chaired by Syed Aminul Haque, the minister said final regulatory approval for Starlink's operations was still pending. However, she confirmed there were no complications in the licensing process.

Starlink, the satellite internet service developed by Elon Musk's SpaceX, was granted a provisional license by the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB), addressing earlier security concerns related to the new technology.

"Satellite internet is a new technology and requires careful consideration," said Khawaja. She added that a Chinese firm, Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST), had also applied for a license, and the government was actively encouraging competition in the satellite internet sector.

Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Major General (Retd) Hafeezur Rehman, informed the committee that Starlink's license is currently temporary and that a permanent license will be issued once all regulatory processes are finalised. A consultant has been hired to develop comprehensive regulations for satellite internet services.

Rehman further revealed that several spectrum-related cases are pending in courts, which could delay the 5G auction. Currently, Pakistan utilises only 274 MHz of the available spectrum, whereas around 860 MHz is required for optimal connectivity.

The NA committee formed a sub-committee to examine pending litigation concerning spectrum issues and assess how court-imposed stay orders have financially impacted the national exchequer. Gohar Ali Khan was appointed as the convener, with members Umair Khan Niazi, Ammar Ahmad Khan Leghari, and Sharmila Farooqui.

The IT minister stressed that future spectrum auctions should not focus solely on revenue but must also support industry health and infrastructure development.

The committee also reviewed the status of the secure communication app 'BEEP' developed for government officials. National Information Technology Board (NITB) CEO Babar Majid Bhatti informed the committee that the app, resembling WhatsApp with enhanced security, is ready for launch. It includes features like secure messaging, audio/video calls, document sharing, and Zoom-style conferencing.

The committee recommended the immediate launch of the app and directed that final security clearance be coordinated with the National Telecommunication and Information Security Board (NTISB).

During the meeting, committee member Pullain Baloch walked out in protest over the lack of internet services in his constituency. The chairman noted that a letter had been sent to the Secretary of Interior on the matter, followed by a reminder, but no response had been received. The committee decided to summon the secretary in the next meeting to provide a clear timeline for restoring internet services.

The IT minister cited security concerns in remote areas, stating that terrorists have misused internet access.

Concerns were also raised over mobile connectivity issues in Karachi. The PTA chairman responded that two show-cause notices were issued during the last week of Ramazan. He explained that prolonged power outages had disrupted mobile signal backup systems, causing service interruptions.