Pakistan Welcomes Elon Musk's Starlink for High-Speed Internet Rollout

Pakistan Welcomes Elon Musk’s Starlink for High-Speed Internet Rollout

Elon Musk’s Starlink, a satellite broadband provider, has registered to operate and offer internet services in Pakistan, according to reports. Ryan Goodnight, Director of Global Licensing and Market Activation at SpaceX, met with Pakistan’s Federal Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunication, Syed Aminul Haq, to discuss the registration of the service in the country. Haq took to social media to share the update on Twitter, calling it a step toward the fastest and cheapest satellite internet services in Pakistan.

Haq expressed hope that Starlink’s services, which could significantly reduce the operational costs of telecom operators, would enable users in far-flung areas to access the internet. The Minister also said that broadband services would be rolled out to every corner of the country at affordable tariffs.

During the meeting, the Starlink official expressed gratitude to Haq and other officials for their cooperation and praised the country’s progress in the IT sector. It was reported that Starlink, through its official platform, asked potential subscribers to pay a refundable deposit as a pre-order for equipment/services, but the PTA asked officials to stop taking pre-order bookings.

وفاقی وزیر آئی ٹی و ٹیلی کمیونیکیشن سید امین الحق سے گلوبل ڈائریکٹر اسپیس ایکس کی ملاقات

اسپیس ایکس کی کمپنی اسٹار لنک نے ایس ای سی پی میں اپنی رجسٹریشن کرالی ہے، پاکستان میں تیزترین اور ارزاں سیٹیلائٹ انٹرنیٹ سروسز کی راہیں ہموار ہورہی ہیں، امین الحق pic.twitter.com/SKutv8NhMo

— Ministry of IT & Telecom (@MoitOfficial) March 22, 2023

Elon Musk, the founder of Starlink, aims to deliver high-speed internet globally, with a focus on elevating connectivity in remote areas. As of now, Starlink has delivered around 2,000 satellites, serving a customer base of more than 10,000 spread over a dozen countries.

The entry of Starlink into Pakistan’s internet market could be a game-changer, especially for rural and remote areas where internet access is still a luxury. Currently, the country’s internet penetration rate is only 35%, with the majority of users located in urban areas. The remaining population, especially in remote areas, lacks access to basic internet services, which hampers the country’s economic growth and development.

Starlink’s low Earth orbit satellite internet service promises to provide high-speed internet connectivity to even the most remote areas, which will not only enhance the quality of life but also create new opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs. Moreover, it will also provide healthy competition to the existing telecom operators in the country and potentially lead to lower internet tariffs for users.

Overall, the entry of Starlink in Pakistan’s internet market is a welcome development that has the potential to transform the country’s digital landscape and bring high-speed internet access to the masses. The government should work with Starlink to ensure a smooth rollout of the service and provide regulatory support to promote healthy competition in the market.