ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has shared an important update on the launch of Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet service in Pakistan, ARY News reported.
During a briefing at the National Assembly Standing Committee on IT headed by Senator Palwasha Khan, the PTA chairman said that Starlink had applied for a license on February 24, 2022, and is currently in touch with the new regulatory body.
Before launching its satellite services in Pakistan, Starlink needs to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and PSB. The PTA chairman assured that the authority will move for further action once the registration process is completed.
Apart from Starlink, Shanghai Space Technology is also entering the Pakistani market which is expected to enhance internet connectivity and bring technological innovation to the country.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has further clarified that it cannot issue a license to Elon Musk’s satellite internet service Starlink until it gets government approval.
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The chairman said that Starlink has assured that it will comply with government policies and will not bypass the system.
Furthermore, the committee decided to summon the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SPARCO) to discuss space technology regulations. The committee also raised the question of why the PTA is delegating its responsibilities to other bodies.
SpaceX chief Elon Musk had earlier said that he was waiting for the Pakistani government’s approval for the launch of Starlink in the country.
According to details, on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Pakistani social media user Sanam Jamali and Elon Musk had a conversation regarding the launch of Starlink in Pakistan.
According to details, Sanam requested Musk to introduce Starlink in Pakistan, saying that it can pave the way for a better future, provide internet connectivity and opportunities for citizens to move forward.
Musk responded by saying that he is waiting for approval from the Pakistani government to launch Starlink in the country. Starlink, owned by SpaceX, provides internet services through a vast network of satellites.
Starlink
Starlink is a satellite internet constellation developed by SpaceX, a private aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company founded by Elon Musk. The constellation aims to provide fast, reliable and global internet connectivity through a network of thousands of small satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO).
This innovative technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we access the Internet, especially in remote and insecure areas where traditional fiber-optic and cellular networks are limited or unavailable.
The Starlink constellation is designed to offer high-speed Internet connectivity with latency as low as 20 ms, comparable to or better than many existing fiber-optic networks.
Each Starlink satellite is equipped with a phased array antenna that allows it to communicate with multiple users at the same time, providing a high-capacity and resilient network. With Starlink, users can enjoy fast and reliable Internet access from anywhere in the world, making it an exciting development for global connectivity and digital inclusion.