Pakistan takes significant step towards Earth Stations in Motion (ESIM) regulatory
framework
Pakistan has taken a significant step
towards establishing a regulatory framework for Earth Stations in Motion
(ESIMs) following a high-level workshop in Islamabad that brought together
government regulators and leading international satellite operators to address
the policy and licensing challenges associated with next-generation satellite
connectivity.
The workshop, jointly organised by
the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB) and Access Partnership,
convened representatives from major satellite service providers, including
SpaceX, Amazon Kuiper, Gogo, Türksat, Space42, Kacific, Viasat and Eutelsat,
alongside Pakistani authorities responsible for telecommunications, aviation,
spectrum management, maritime affairs and national security.
Participating government
organisations included the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA),
Frequency Allocation Board (FAB), Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) and
the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO).
Building a Coordinated
Regulatory Framework
Earth Stations in Motion (ESIMs) are
satellite terminals installed on aircraft, ships and land vehicles, enabling
continuous broadband connectivity while in transit. Regulating these systems
requires coordination across multiple government agencies because approvals
involve satellite landing rights, telecommunications licensing, spectrum
allocation, equipment certification, aviation and maritime safety requirements,
as well as national security considerations.
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During the workshop, participants
reviewed international regulatory best practices and examined how Pakistan
could establish a streamlined framework that enables efficient licensing while
ensuring compliance with national regulatory and security requirements.
Discussions focused on the treatment
of foreign-registered aircraft and vessels operating within Pakistani
territory, including overflight permissions, arrival and departure procedures,
port access, landing rights, terminal authorisation, equipment type approval
and radio-frequency interference protection, while clearly defining the
responsibilities of each competent authority.
Supporting Pakistan's
Digital Connectivity
The workshop also provided an
opportunity to assess the regulatory pathway currently being developed by the
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, including a proposed No Objection
Certificate (NOC) process alongside an In-Flight Telecommunications
Service (ITS) licence for Aeronautical ESIM (A-ESIM) operations within
Pakistan.
Industry participants shared
practical operational perspectives to help regulators evaluate whether the
proposed licensing framework would be workable for international satellite
operators seeking to provide connectivity services in Pakistan.
Speaking on the significance of the
initiative, Amer Sarfraz Ahmad, Chairman of the Pakistan Space Activities
Regulatory Board, said:
"Space is ultimately a tool for
development, and ESIM services are a clear example of how space technology can
deliver practical benefits through better connectivity for aircraft, vessels
and people on the move. The time has come to open Pakistan to these services
through a clear, enabling and internationally aligned regulatory
framework."
He added that Pakistan stands at an
important stage in the development of its satellite communications market.
"This workshop brought together
the relevant authorities and industry to understand how ESIM services operate
in practice and to consider a regulatory pathway that is secure, proportionate
and workable."
Next Steps
PSARB and Access Partnership will
continue working with relevant stakeholders to incorporate the workshop's
findings into the development of Pakistan's national ESIM regulatory framework.
The organisations will also support the coordination mechanisms required among
government authorities once the framework is implemented.
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While further technical and
regulatory work remains before the framework is finalised, the workshop has provided
greater clarity on the direction of Pakistan's policy development. A
transparent and internationally aligned ESIM regime is expected to facilitate
investment, enable satellite connectivity services for aviation, maritime and
land transport sectors, and position Pakistan to participate more effectively
in the rapidly expanding global satellite communications market.
Source: https://accesspartnership.com/