The Starlink logo is seen on a smartphone in front of the Ukrainian flag shown in this illustration taken February 27, 2022. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The government has delayed issuing a license for Starlink to operate in Pakistan, citing data security concerns, the ongoing Musk-Trump fallout and growing competition from Chinese satellite companies, a pause that reflects Islamabad’s growing wariness over who controls the country’s digital skies.
Starlink, owned by Elon Musk, is among several companies seeking entry into Pakistan’s satellite internet market, but officials say unresolved security and geopolitical considerations have slowed the approval process.
Sources told The Express Pakinomist that the government had been told that Starlink could transmit certain data while bypassing Pakistan’s surveillance, regulatory and security checks.
“We cannot allow a license to Starlink without ensuring a security check to ensure the safety of data of consumers in Pakistan,” said a senior official.
Officials further said that the spat between US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk had also become another reason why the Pakistani establishment was not ready to grant security clearance, fearing that it might provoke displeasure from US President Donald Trump.
Starlink is one of five companies currently vying to launch satellite internet services in Pakistan. The companies have applied for permission to roll out satellite-based internet services in the country.
President Trump and Musk had previously had good relations, but later entered into a dispute.
Pakistan and the US have had an improved relationship since Trump’s return to power and hence Pakistan does not want to take any step that may cause concern in Washington.
“But the real reason is that the government has tested some cases where Starlink had to retrieve some sensitive data while providing satellite internet services,” sources said, adding that the government is working to resolve the issue, which has delayed the issuance of a license to Starlink.
At present, Pakistan retains control over Internet data as the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) is a majority shareholder in the undersea cable infrastructure. However, the authorities fear that they will not have similar control over satellite-based internet data and that foreign companies, particularly Starlink, may be involved in data theft.
Sources further said that satellite-based services would primarily be provided in remote areas like Balochistan, where conventional internet services are either limited or unavailable.
Currently, relevant authorities are able to monitor internet services and can even suspend the connection in case of security issues. But officials fear they could have trouble blocking satellite-based services when necessary.
Telecom operator Starlink has completed its technical foundation to launch satellite internet services in Pakistan, but the regulatory framework is still unfinished.
Currently, five companies are seeking licenses for satellite internet services in Pakistan, with plans to invest millions of dollars in the country.
According to the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB), five companies, including Starlink and Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology Limited (SSST), have shown strong interest in providing satellite Internet services.
The other companies include OneWeb (Eutelsat Group), Project Kuiper from the Amazon Group and the Canadian satellite company Telesat. These firms are also willing to launch satellite internet services in Pakistan and are said to have completed much of the preparatory work.
Chinese companies already have greater penetration in Pakistan than American companies. The Chinese companies are also seeking access to Pakistan’s satellite internet market and see Starlink as a direct competitor.
However, the registration process still awaits the PSARB board, which has not yet finalized the licensing scheme.
According to PSARB officials, the government has completed consultations with stakeholders but requires more time to put security mechanisms in place before allowing satellite-based internet services to begin operations.
