Pakistan’s telecom regulator has overhauled how satellite internet companies operate in the country, scrapping the need for multiple permits in favor of a single nationwide license.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced Friday that providers will no longer have to secure separate Local Loop (LL) or multiple Long Distance and International (LDI) licences for different regions. Instead, one license will now cover satellite-based internet services across all of Pakistan.
The change, which aligns with the government’s Telecom Policy 2015, is designed to cut red tape and make it easier for global players—such as Starlink—to launch and expand their services. Previously, a provider might need up to 14 separate LDI licenses to operate nationwide. Under the new system, those can be consolidated into a single permit, significantly reducing administrative overhead.
Only companies registered with the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB) will be eligible for the new license, ensuring that all providers meet the country’s space and spectrum requirements.
PTA clarified that this shift applies to new entrants. Firms already holding valid LDI licences can continue to operate under the existing framework without any mandatory changes.
This move is widely seen as part of Pakistan’s broader effort to encourage satellite-based connectivity in remote and underserved areas, where traditional infrastructure has been slow or costly to deploy.
