Pakistan is poised to revolutionize its internet landscape with the potential introduction of Starlink’s services. This was revealed by Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja.

She said that discussions are underway to bring Starlink to Pakistan, addressing the country s persistent internet connectivity issues, particularly in underserved and remote areas.

This development was announced during a Senate Standing Committee meeting on IT and Telecommunication, chaired by Senator Palwasha Khan. Khawaja highlighted the government s efforts to modernize Pakistan s digital infrastructure, including plans to auction the 5G spectrum in April 2024.

The introduction of Starlink s services is expected to provide a much-needed solution to Pakistan s internet woes, which have resulted in significant losses for businesses and affected users nationwide, including freelancers, students, and businesses.

Starlink aims to connect people in areas where traditional internet infrastructure is lacking or non-existent.

Benefits of Starlink services

The satellite-based system can provide more reliable internet access, especially during natural disasters or outages. Its LEO satellites reduce latency, enabling faster and more responsive internet connectivity.

Current Status

Currently, SpaceX has launched numerous batches of Starlink satellites since May 2019, with over 3,000 satellites currently in orbit.

Its commercial internet service is available in several countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and others. It continues to expand Starlink s coverage, with plans to launch more satellites and improve the network s capabilities.