Starlink Could Bridge the Digital Divide of Internet Access in Remote Areas

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, underscored the potential of SpaceX’s Starlink to revolutionize internet access in Pakistan during a high-level visit to the company’s headquarters in Los Angeles.

Accompanied by Consul General Asim Ali Khan and other consulate officials, Sheikh explored opportunities for collaboration between Pakistan and the US aerospace firm, SpaceX.

The Pakistani delegation was received by senior SpaceX executives, including the Vice President of Starlink Global Business Operations and the Director of Global Business Development. The discussions centered on Starlink’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite infrastructure and how it could help bridge Pakistan’s digital divide by expanding broadband access, particularly in underserved and remote areas.

Ambassador Sheikh emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to innovation-led development and praised the productive exchange with SpaceX. He expressed hope that the dialogue would lead to concrete cooperation in space technology, digital infrastructure, and commercial innovation.

Starlink Nears Launch in Pakistan

Despite ongoing engagements, Starlink has yet to officially launch in Pakistan. However, recent updates indicate progress. Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, announced last month that the licensing process for Starlink is close to completion. She stated that the service is expected to become operational in Pakistan by November 2025.

“Following the license issuance, we will commence the installation of the necessary equipment, and Starlink will be available in Pakistan from November,” she said during a briefing to the National Assembly’s standing committee.

Read more: Amazon Launches First Satellites to Rival Elon Musk’s Starlink Internet

In March, the Pakistani government granted temporary registration to Starlink, marking a key milestone toward the introduction of satellite-based internet services in the country.

Pakistan, home to one of the world’s largest freelancing communities, stands to benefit significantly from Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency internet service. If launched as planned, Starlink could transform digital accessibility in remote regions, boosting economic opportunities and supporting the government’s vision of a digitally connected nation.