The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has released a draft plan for Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) licensing, representing a significant stride in the nation’s strategic blueprint for digital growth.
This regulatory action is anticipated to successfully draw global satellite internet operators, such as Starlink and Shanghai Spacecom, thereby extending high-speed internet availability to remote and previously underserved regions.
In its public notification, the PTA specified that the draft license would authorize companies to construct and operate satellite infrastructure, including fixed earth stations, gateway stations, and Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs). With this certification, operators will be permitted to offer broadband, backhaul, and direct internet bandwidth services to end consumers.
The license requires a one-time fee of $500,000 and will be valid for a duration of 15 years. Companies are mandated to commence services within 18 months and must establish a minimum of one gateway earth station within Pakistan. Furthermore, they are obliged to securely store all user data within the country’s borders to ensure adherence to domestic privacy regulations.
The new licensing model replaces a previously complex system of multiple permits with a streamlined, single-framework process. This design incorporates feedback gathered from consultations held in February 2025 and is consistent with the Pakistan Telecommunication Act and the Pakistan Space Activities Rules 2024.
The PTA clarified that the FSS license specifically excludes coverage for mobile satellite services, direct-to-home (DTH) broadcasting, and direct-to-device connectivity. To maintain proper oversight, all international traffic must be routed through authorized Long Distance International operators.
Industry experts project that this initiative has the potential to transform Pakistan’s digital ecosystem by substantially improving connectivity and stimulating economic development in rural parts of the country.
Separately, internet users in Pakistan recently experienced service interruptions as a result of submarine cable damage in Saudi Arabian waters near Jeddah. PTCL issued a confirmation stating that the incident had reduced the bandwidth capacity across two crucial undersea cable systems, namely SMW4 and IMEWE.
