Starlink in Pakistan?
The game changer in the world of internet connectivity, Starlink, is being awaited in Pakistan. The request of the world’s largest satellite service internet provider company to start internet in Pakistan is a victim of legal and technical complications. The government has decided to take some quick steps regarding social media apps and internet service in Pakistan. Web management system and firewall are also a part of it. In such a situation, how will the license be issued for the acquisition of satellite internet provider services at this time? According to the Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, Star Link registered the company in Pakistan in June 2021, while the minister, Shiza Fatima, announced this registration on 4 January 2025. PTA says that currently the process of registration of Starlink in the space agency is going on; after this, the process of licensing of PTA will start.
What is Starlink, and how is it different?
- Starlink employs thousands of tiny satellites rather than a few huge ones.
- Starlink employs LEO satellites that orbit the Earth at only 300 miles above sea level. This reduced geostationary orbit increases internet speeds and decreases latency.
- The most recent Starlink satellites contain laser communication parts that allow signals to be sent between satellites, minimizing reliance on several ground stations.
- Starlink satellites also undertake partner launches on a regular basis. Due to the significant costs involved, other satellite internet providers may be unable to arrange frequent satellite launches.
- The Starlink satellites are small sat-class CubeSats of about 100 to 500 kg mass and are launched in low Earth orbit at an altitude of about 600 kilometers only. SpaceX launched their first batch of 60 Starlink satellites back in May 2019, each weighing around 230 kg.
High-Speed Starlink’s Impact on Low-Speed Pakistan:
Along with slow internet in the country since last year and the ban on social platforms imposed by the government, the continuous blame games by the government and different state departments have frustrated the recession-hit population. Surely the government’s goal of controlling the internet is a major hurdle in Starlink’s progression in Pakistan because the government has blamed the disrupted cables for slow internet, but in the case of Starlink, they couldn’t use such an excuse.
Pakistan ranks 100th out of 111 countries in terms of mobile internet speed as per the global index, while in terms of broadband internet speed, Pakistan ranks 141st out of 158 countries. The numbers are terrible for the 4th largest country in terms of population. As a result of this disruption, the country’s IT industry has also suffered financial loss. The Pakistani government and system have nothing to offer to such a large population, and they depend upon the IT sector to grow with all the restrictions and the slowest speed in the region. It is an irony for Pakistan amongst its other tragedies.
Starlink Expected Prices in Pakistan (The Big Question):
If we look at Starlink services, it has three packages:
- Residential: In Starling’s residential packages, you can get speeds of 50 to 250 MBPS, the average charges for which will be around Rs 35,000/month with a one-time charge of Rs 110,000 for the hardware.
- Business: Starling’s business package is especially for businesses. The speed will be 100 to 500 MBPS.
While the businesses will have to spend 95,000 rupees per month, the one-time expense for hardware can be Rs 220,000. - Mobile: In the mobile package, the speed will be 50 to 250 MBPS, the average charges for which will be Rs 50,000 per month, and for hardware, you will have to pay a one-time charge of Rs 120,000.