ISLAMABAD: A growing delay in the approval of satellite-based internet licences is set to come under scrutiny in the Senate, after Senator Sarmad Ali submitted a call attention notice seeking an explanation from the federal government.
In his notice, the lawmaker urged the federal minister for information technology to clarify why regulatory approvals required for launching satellite internet services in Pakistan have not yet been finalised. He noted that the prolonged process is discouraging international companies that have expressed interest in entering the country’s market.
According to officials familiar with the matter, several global firms are currently awaiting final clearance to begin operations. While the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has reportedly completed much of the technical and procedural groundwork, the licensing process remains stalled due to pending registration requirements with the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board.
The senator has asked the government to provide a clear timeline for the issuance of licences, warning that continued delays could undermine investor confidence in Pakistan’s digital economy.
Industry voices raise concerns
Telecom and technology experts say the issue goes beyond procedural delays, pointing instead to deeper structural challenges in policy execution and regulatory coordination. While Pakistan has consistently projected itself as an emerging digital market, industry insiders argue that slow decision-making and inconsistent regulatory frameworks are widening the gap between ambition and reality.
A senior telecom executive, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that uncertainty around licensing and long-term policy direction is a key barrier for foreign investment. “There is interest in Pakistan, but investors need clarity and predictability before committing resources,” he noted.
Quality of service under scrutiny
Experts also emphasise that Pakistan’s connectivity challenges are not limited to access but extend to the quality and reliability of services. Even in major urban centres, users frequently report slow speeds, network congestion and fluctuating performance.
The country’s broadband infrastructure remains uneven, with many users still dependent on legacy copper networks. Fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) deployment has expanded in recent years but remains limited to select urban localities, leaving large segments of the population underserved.
Analysts say that while policymakers focus on expanding user numbers, insufficient attention is being paid to upgrading core network infrastructure to handle rapidly growing data demand.
5G ambitions face ground realities
The debate also comes at a time when Pakistan is preparing for next-generation mobile services. However, industry specialists caution that operators are still grappling with capacity constraints on existing networks.
Limited spectrum availability continues to strain mobile networks, which now carry the majority of the country’s internet traffic. This has led to declining service quality, raising concerns about the readiness of the ecosystem for a full-scale 5G rollout.
“Before moving to 5G, there is an urgent need to address congestion and improve 4G performance,” said a network planning expert, highlighting the mismatch between policy ambitions and operational realities.
Global shift toward satellite and hybrid connectivity
Globally, the telecommunications landscape is undergoing a major transformation, with satellite-based internet emerging as a key component of future connectivity. Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite systems are increasingly being integrated with cloud computing, edge infrastructure and enterprise services.
Major players such as Amazon, through its Project Kuiper initiative, are investing heavily in satellite constellations to complement their cloud ecosystems, including Amazon Web Services. Similarly, OneWeb has expanded its footprint across Europe by partnering with governments and telecom operators to deliver secure connectivity solutions.
Meanwhile, SpaceX’s Starlink service has already been deployed in more than 165 countries, providing broadband access in remote, maritime and disaster-prone regions. New entrants such as SpaceSail are further intensifying competition in the global satellite internet market.
Pakistan risks falling behind
Despite the rapid global shift, Pakistan has yet to capitalise on satellite broadband opportunities. Several international operators—including Starlink, OneWeb, Amazon’s Kuiper and SpaceSail—have signalled readiness to launch services in the country but remain stuck in regulatory limbo.
Industry observers warn that continued delays could limit Pakistan’s ability to expand connectivity in rural and remote areas, support industrial innovation, and strengthen critical services such as disaster response and maritime communications.
