Page 89 - SAMENA Trends - August-September 2025

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

PTA To Issue Satellite Internet Licenses Within Weeks

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is in the final Research Commission’s (SUPARCO) regulatory body (PSARB). Once
stages of launching satellite internet services in the country, these rules are approved and company registrations are complete,
with licenses expected to be issued within one to two weeks to licenses will be issued without delay. Officials confirmed that
companies meeting all registration requirements. To facilitate the eligible companies could receive licenses within one to two weeks
rollout, a dedicated Satellite Directorate has been established at after fulfilling registration criteria. On Aug 8, the PTA introduced a
PTA headquarters in Islamabad. The directorate, operating under major policy shift, announcing that companies providing satellite
the Wireless Division, will handle licensing matters for satellite internet services will no longer be required to obtain multiple Local
internet service providers and oversee regulatory compliance. Loop (LL) licenses. Under the new framework, a single license will
According to PTA sources, the authority has already prepared a suffice for satellite internet operations across the country. Sources
single license format for satellite internet providers, streamlining the divulged that the move aligns with the Telecom Policy 2015 and
application process. PTA has also submitted its recommendations is expected to streamline the regulatory process. The revised
on regulatory rules to the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere licensing model offers companies such as Starlink the option to
replace fourteen individual Long Distance and International (LDI)
licenses with a single national permit. Only satellite internet firms
registered with the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board
(PSARB) will be eligible to receive the new license. Prior to this,
it had been reported that following the entry of American tech
giant Starlink, several Chinese companies had expressed interest
in launching satellite internet services in Pakistan. In response,
the government had accelerated efforts to finalize the regulatory
framework required to facilitate such operations. It directed
relevant agencies to finalize the rules, regulations, and license
conditions soon. According to official sources, the Pakistan Space
Activity Regulatory Board (PSARB) has submitted a detailed
consultant report to relevant authorities and institutions, including
the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). The report
outlines proposed rules, regulations, and licensing conditions for
companies wishing to operate satellite-based internet services in
the country.

Pakistan Waives ROW Charges to Boost Fiber Deployment and Digital Access

The Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of
Pakistan (WISPAP) has welcomed the government’s decision
to waive Right of Way (ROW) charges on IT and telecom
infrastructure projects, including nationwide fibre deployment.
The move, approved by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and
implemented through the National Highway Authority (NHA) and
Ministry of Railways, is seen as a major step toward expanding
affordable digital connectivity. WISPAP Chairman Shahzad Arshad
described the decision as a “visionary step” that will accelerate
broadband rollout, especially in underserved and rural regions. He
noted that high ROW costs had long been a barrier to connectivity,
inflating operational expenses for service providers and limiting
affordable internet access for consumers. The association praised tax on internet services in Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication (MOITT) for aligning Arshad stressed that eliminating this tax would provide direct relief
Pakistan’s digital infrastructure policies with global best practices. to households, students, and businesses, helping unlock the full
“Countries such as India, Bangladesh, and several EU states have potential of e-learning, freelancing, and e-commerce. Reaffirming
already removed excessive ROW charges to support nationwide support for the government’s Digital Pakistan initiative, WISPAP
fibrilization. Pakistan’s move now brings us in line with international said that combining ROW waivers with broader tax reforms could
benchmarks,” Arshad said. At the same time, WISPAP called for significantly strengthen Pakistan’s digital economy and global
further reforms, including the removal of the 19.5% provincial sales competitiveness.

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