Pakistan explores ‘Starlink’ to address internet disruptions

Pakistan is actively engaging with Elon Musk’s satellite-based internet service, Starlink, as part of efforts to tackle widespread internet disruptions. Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja revealed the ongoing talks during a Senate Standing Committee meeting on IT and Telecommunication chaired by Senator Palwasha Khan.

Khawaja underscored the potential of Starlink to improve internet connectivity in underserved and remote areas, calling it a vital step toward addressing the nation’s digital challenges. “We are in talks with Starlink to bring them to Pakistan,” she stated.

The discussions come as Pakistan faces significant internet issues, impacting freelancers, students, and businesses nationwide. The disruptions, combined with limited IT sector investments over the past three years, have hindered the country’s ability to meet rising internet demands.

In addition to Starlink, the minister announced plans to auction the 5G spectrum in April 2024, a move aimed at modernizing Pakistan’s digital infrastructure. Industry leaders, including Sajjad Syed, Chairman of the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), have welcomed the initiative but emphasized the need to first resolve foundational issues like consistent and reliable internet access.

Syed highlighted the IT sector’s 30% annual growth rate and called for government-private sector collaboration to strengthen the digital ecosystem.

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Major General (retd) Hafeezur Rehman addressed concerns about VPN licensing, which is set to begin on January 1, 2024, to mitigate data security risks associated with unregulated services. He clarified that VPN usage is not the cause of slow internet speeds and categorically denied any government policy to deliberately reduce internet speeds.

However, technical issues such as inefficient firewall management and growing data consumption were identified as major factors behind the slow speeds. Senator Afanullah Khan highlighted the need for better firewall management to improve connectivity.

The disruptions have particularly affected remote workers, students attending online classes, and IT companies, 99% of which reported problems, according to P@SHA. Industry stakeholders noted billions in losses and urged immediate government action to stabilize the situation.

Khawaja reassured the committee that technical reasons, rather than intentional policy, were behind the slow speeds, adding, “The internet is working perfectly fine today.” She also directed PTA officials to pinpoint the issues and their locations for swift resolution.

Starlink’s satellite-based technology promises faster and more reliable internet services, which could be transformative for remote and underserved areas. However, its success in Pakistan will depend on overcoming regulatory and logistical challenges.

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