Pakistan’s digital landscape is set for a major shift as global tech giants step up competition in the satellite broadband sector. After Starlink, Amazon’s Project Kuiper has also expressed interest in launching its services in the country.
Amazon Kuiper eyes Pakistan’s market
According to official sources, representatives of Amazon’s Kuiper project have conveyed plans to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan. Authorities welcomed the move and briefed the company about local registration procedures and legal requirements.
Amazon Kuiper has already deployed more than 100 satellites into orbit and signed its first contract with Australia. However, the company is yet to commercially launch services in any country. If introduced in Pakistan, Kuiper could bring faster, more reliable internet to underserved regions.
Strong competition in satellite broadband
The entry of Kuiper adds to growing interest from global and regional players. Starlink, founded by Elon Musk, was the first to initiate talks with Islamabad. Meanwhile, two major Chinese firms — Shanghai Telecom and Telco Integrated — along with international operator OneWeb have also approached Pakistani authorities.
Experts believe that the arrival of multiple satellite internet providers could usher in a new era of high-speed connectivity in Pakistan.
Earlier this month, it had been reported that several Chinese companies had expressed interest in launching satellite internet services in Pakistan, after American company Starlink.
The government accelerated efforts to finalise the regulatory framework required to facilitate such operations. It directed relevant agencies to finalise the rules, regulations, and license conditions soon.
Regulatory framework nearing completion
According to official sources, the Pakistan Space Activity Regulatory Board (PSARB) submitted a detailed consultant report to relevant authorities and institutions, including the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). The report outlinef proposed rules, regulations, and licensing conditions for companies wishing to operate satellite-based internet services in the country.
The PTA reviewed the draft regulations and consultant’s recommendations. Once reviewed, it was scheduled to share its formal opinion with the PSARB to help prepare and publish the final version of the rules and regulations.
On the other hand, in July, Starlink’s plans to launch satellite internet services in Pakistan suffered another setback as its temporary registration with the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB) expired, according to official sources. The move further delayed the licensing process for the global satellite internet provider.
Sources revealed that Starlink had been temporarily registered with PSARB on March 21, but was unable to secure permanent registration, which is a pre-condition set by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for the issuance of an operational license.
