Five major international satellite internet providers, OneWeb (Eutelsat Group), Amazon’s Project Kuiper, SpaceCell (SSST), Starlink, and Telesat, are ready to begin offering services in Pakistan.
These companies have shown strong interest in investing millions of dollars to deliver high-speed satellite broadband across the country, particularly in underserved and remote regions.
Despite their readiness, the launch of satellite internet services in Pakistan is stuck in bureaucratic limbo.
Sources told ProPakistani that various federal institutions are creating obstacles, stalling the companies’ plans to invest and operate. While the Ministry of IT and Telecom is expected to facilitate the process, it appears powerless in resolving the institutional deadlock that is delaying approvals and policy clarity.
The registration process for all five companies is reportedly delayed due to the slow pace of the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB), which is the central authority tasked with overseeing space-related licensing. Additionally, the regulatory framework required to govern satellite internet services has yet to be finalized.
As a result, the Prime Minister’s “Digital Pakistan” vision is facing significant setbacks, with key digital connectivity and infrastructure goals now at risk of being delayed further.
Industry insiders warn that if the regulatory framework is not finalized soon, the commercial launch of satellite internet services may be postponed well beyond the government’s stated timeline. Federal IT Minister Shaza Fatima had earlier claimed that services would begin by November or December 2025, but the lack of a legal framework now threatens that schedule.
PSARB officials confirm that a draft of the regulatory framework has been prepared and stakeholder consultations are ongoing, but more time is needed for formal approval.
The delay comes at a critical time, as Pakistan has recently taken key steps to open its space sector. In December 2023, the country approved its first National Space Policy, and in February 2024, the Pakistan Space Activities Rules were introduced, forming the PSARB to regulate the sector.
These developments were expected to pave the way for private and international satellite operators to enter Pakistan’s market. However, the regulatory bottlenecks now risk stalling progress, delaying both foreign investment and access to high-speed satellite internet that could support nationwide digital transformation.