Pakistan’s Satellite Internet Rules Are Almost Ready, Minister Says

Pakistan is close to completing rules for satellite internet services, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said on October 13. The government plans to offer a favorable environment for companies investing in the sector.

New Rules Come Before Launch Details

Addressing the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity symposium on digital transformation and the Universal Service Fund (USF), Khawaja said officials would soon finalize the Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) framework following consultations with relevant institutions.

The announcement included no commercial launch date, package prices or approval for a named operator to start services.

The technology ministry’s yearbook places the framework within a wider satellite licensing plan. The aim is to extend broadband to remote and underserved areas, improve backup connectivity and attract investment.

A Plan for Rural Internet Providers

Khawaja said the government was creating opportunities for local businesses to provide internet services at district level through Class Value Added Services (CVAS) licences. Officials are also developing a model to help rural residents become internet service providers.

She said the USF had invested $1 billion over the years and completed 158 projects, providing internet access to around 38.4 million people.

More Fibre Links for Homes and Towers

The minister said three new undersea internet cables had landed in Pakistan over the past two and a half years. Officials were also working on alternative international routes and further cable connections.

She said the USF had laid more than 17,000 kilometers of optical fibre nationwide. Fiber broadband home passes increased from fewer than three million in 2024 to more than five million.

Home passes measure potential network reach, rather than the number of active subscribers.

Fiber connections to mobile towers rose from below 15% to more than 19%. The government’s target is at least 60%, with Khawaja stressing the need for fiber links to support effective 5G services.

Mobile Internet Gender Gap Falls to 8%

Khawaja said the gender gap in mobile internet use had dropped from 38% to 8%. Citing GSMA, she described Pakistan’s progress over the past two years as the fastest worldwide.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reviews progress on the National Connectivity Plan every two weeks, she added.