The State Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja informed the Lower House that the two organizations which applied for the licenses to operate in Pakistan are Elon Musk’s Starlink Internet Services Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd., and Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology, a Chinese satellite company.
In a written statement, she clarified that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is currently only processing applications from companies registered with the Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). Only applications from companies registered within Pakistan will be accepted under the mentioned PTA licensing regime, according to the minister. While international entities’ applications are not being directly entertained, those who are registered under SECP can apply for licenses. Both entities, Starlink, which is incorporated within the SpaceX stable and operates to provide satellite-based internet services, and Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology, a Chinese satellite communication solutions company, are looking to join Pakistan’s market under this regime.
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The minister highlighted that the application is made easy by a simple licensing process that does not pose any kind of difficulty once an application is made. After the applicant meets all code requirements and secures clearance, if required, from the Ministry of Interior, PTA will process the application further. An introduction of the Online Application Submission Information System (OASIS) streamlined the process to allow applicants to file documents online and track application status remotely.
PTA has been obsessed with ensuring compliance with an international standard by closely monitoring the Quality of Service (QoS) of an internet provider. Under Fixed Broadband Quality-of-Service (QoS) Regulations, 2022, periodic evaluation of internet services is conducted against performance standards. This is in maintaining the connectivity that is to be high-quality and reliable throughout the country.