Senator seeks explanation over delay in satellite internet licences

ISLAMABAD: A call attention notice has been submitted in the Senate over the prolonged delay in issuing licences for satellite-based internet services, with lawmakers seeking an explanation from the Ministry of Information Technology.

Senator Sarmad Ali, in his notice, said at least five companies are awaiting final regulatory clearance to launch services in Pakistan. He noted that while the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has reportedly completed its requirements, registration with the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board remains pending.

He asked the minister to explain the reasons for the delay and to inform the House when the licences would be issued.

Industry experts, as cited in the report, say the uncertainty is affecting investor confidence and slowing the rollout of next-generation connectivity services. A senior telecom executive was quoted as saying that “when it comes to real decision-making, licensing clarity and investment certainty, Pakistan’s system moves too slowly”.

Experts also pointed to broader structural issues in the country’s telecom sector, including inconsistent service quality, uneven fibre rollout and congestion on mobile networks. They argued that the key challenge is not just expanding coverage but upgrading backbone infrastructure to handle rising data demand.

A radio network planning expert said operators remain focused on “survival on 4G”, despite ongoing discussions around 5G readiness, with congestion relief described as a pressing priority.

Analysts further noted that Pakistan’s mobile networks carry the bulk of national data traffic, yet spectrum constraints continue to impact service quality.

The report highlights that while global connectivity is rapidly shifting towards satellite-based systems and distributed cloud infrastructure, Pakistan has struggled to keep pace due to regulatory delays.

International players including Starlink, OneWeb, Amazon’s Kuiper project and SpaceSail are said to be prepared to enter the market but remain pending approvals, according to telecom sector observers. The report adds that these delays are seen as limiting potential in areas such as rural broadband, maritime connectivity and disaster response systems.