Elon Musk’s Starlink to enter into Pakistani market after approval
Amid ongoing internet restrictions and social media crackdowns, Pakistan,
home to over 240 million people, is eagerly awaiting the arrival of Starlink,
Elon Musk’s satellite internet service. Social media users have flooded Musk
with questions, hoping for an update on when the service will become available
in the country.
Responding to one such inquiry, Musk confirmed that Starlink is currently
awaiting government approval before it can be launched in Pakistan. The
exchange took place after a Pakistani user expressed their hopes for Starlink,
saying, “Pakistan could leap into the future, where every citizen has the
chance to connect and grow. Please, let Starlink be our bridge to tomorrow.”
In a surprising reply, Musk tweeted, “We are waiting for approval from
the government,” underscoring the regulatory hurdles delaying the
service’s rollout in the country.
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Starlink's Global Expansion Plans
Starlink is also preparing to launch in India, where it will face
competition from established internet providers. The service will begin
spectrum allocation after receiving final approval from the Telecom Regulatory
Authority of India (TRAI). The anticipated launch could happen as early as
February 2025, although the allocation process is still in progress. Indian
companies like Jio and Airtel have already completed their regulatory
procedures for satellite internet, but Starlink may be the first to launch in
the country.
Starlink’s satellite internet is expected to offer download speeds ranging
from 50-150 Mbps, with a premium plan providing speeds up to 220 Mbps.
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Internet Shutdowns and Restrictions in Pakistan
Pakistan has faced significant internet disruptions, with the country
reporting the highest global financial losses in 2024 due to internet shutdowns
and social media restrictions. According to a recent report, these disruptions
resulted in losses totaling $1.62 billion. The shutdowns, which lasted for a
cumulative 9,735 hours and affected nearly 83 million users, were primarily
triggered by the general election in February 2024 and the protests that
followed.
Alongside countries like Myanmar, Bangladesh, and India, Pakistan was among
the hardest-hit nations by global internet shutdowns in 2024, which
collectively caused $7.69 billion in losses and impacted over 648 million
people worldwide.
Source: Pakistan Observer