Islamabad, 6 March 2023 (GNP): Elon Musk’s Starlink has been denied a licence to operate in Pakistan by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
According to discussions with relevant stakeholders, data security is not the only issue with Starlink’s operations in Pakistan but the business model and technical arrangements are also impeding Starlink’s ability to obtain the licence.
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According to PTA, the Starlink network access device is expected to cost around $700, with the company charging a $100 subscription bill for a 100 Mbps internet connection package. As a result, the device will cost around Rupees 200,000, with a monthly package of Rupees 28,000.
The prices of Starlink’s services will be higher than those of other internet service providers in Pakistan. Credit cards will have to be used to pay for internet access, but this will be difficult for Pakistanis who are living in remote areas without access to such financial services.