Elon Musk's company SpaceX has revolutionized the world of the internet. The provision of fast and uninterrupted internet has become a basic human need, which is becoming a source of economic and social benefits.
At a time when internet speed is under discussion in Pakistan and users often face problems due to slow internet, the arrival of Starlink in Pakistan is a common topic. Of course, this facility is a huge step forward for developing countries like Pakistan in the digital era and this is why the Government of Pakistan and the relevant government departments seem serious about bringing this service to Pakistani users safely.
Starlink, the satellite internet project of Elon Musk’s company SpaceX, is going through various stages to launch its services in Pakistan. Starlink has completed its registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). According to Minister of State for Information Technology, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, the preparation of the regulatory framework is underway after the company’s registration. Authorities are consulting foreign experts to formulate a comprehensive policy regarding non-stationary and non-geostrophic low-Earth orbit satellites. This policy will ensure that the satellites do not interfere with local frequencies.
The good news is that Starlink itself is considering the Pakistani market as one of its important markets and Starlink has included Pakistan in the list of countries where Starlink services will soon be available. One of the most frequently asked questions about Starlink services is whether its price will be within the purchasing power of the common consumer or not?
Experts say that Starlink services are not cheap, and its arrival could deepen the digital divide in Pakistan, where a select few will be able to benefit from it while others will have to rely on the same slow internet services. Starlink aims to provide high-speed internet in remote and rural areas where traditional internet services are unavailable or slow. However, due to its high cost, these services will not be within the reach of every individual user. Looking at the cost in the countries where Starlink service is currently available, it is not difficult to say that Starlink services can be many times more expensive than traditional internet services, which indicates that this facility will be out of reach of the average user.
The expected monthly fee for users could be US$99 (approximately 27,000 Pakistani rupees), while the dish and router used to provide internet could cost US$549 (approximately 150,000 Pakistani rupees).
How will Starlink services affect the business of broadband internet providers in Pakistan?
The arrival of Starlink could provide competition to local internet providers, especially in areas where their services are limited or substandard. However, its immediate impact may be limited due to Starlink’s high price and regulatory requirements. Moreover, Starlink services will only be launched after the government has developed and approved a regulatory framework, giving local companies time to improve their services.
In which countries are Starlink services available and which segments are benefiting from it?
Starlink services are available in more than 100 countries and territories around the world. These countries include the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Australia, and New Zealand. Starlink initially targeted individual users, especially those living in rural or remote areas where traditional broadband Internet is unavailable or limited. However, in recent years, Starlink has also begun to provide its services to businesses, educational institutions, and government agencies.
It is also important for consumers to know how much faster Starlink will be compared to broadband internet and other services available in Pakistan.
For this, we need to examine the current internet speed in Pakistan. Unfortunately, Pakistan is among the countries with the lowest internet speeds in the world. In the global ranking, Pakistan ranks 198th in terms of internet speed, which is even lower than countries like Palestine, Bhutan, Ghana, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, and Libya. Pakistan’s average broadband speed in fixed broadband is around 10 to 20 Mbps, which is much lower than the global average of 78.62. Similarly, the average mobile internet download speed in Pakistan is also around 20 Mbps.
If we compare the internet speed in Pakistan with Starlink, then Starlink is definitely going to revolutionize the internet speed in Pakistan. According to initial reports, the speed and performance of Starlink’s internet service is remarkable. Some users have reported download speeds of up to 150 megabits per second (Mbps), while some recent reports have also mentioned speeds of up to 264 Mbps.
Starlink download speeds typically range from 50 Mbps to 250 Mbps, although some reports have reported speeds of up to 300 Mbps, especially in areas with low subscriber numbers. Upload speeds typically range from 10 Mbps to 20 Mbps. Starlink latency is 20-40 milliseconds (ms), which is close to traditional broadband, but higher than fiber optic connections (5-10 ms).
In comparison, traditional broadband internet (DSL or fiber) speeds in Pakistan currently range between 10 Mbps and 100 Mbps. Good quality fiber optic connections provide speeds of up to 200 Mbps, but are available in limited areas. Upload speeds in Pakistan are generally lower than downloads, often between 1 and 20 Mbps, while traditional broadband connections have latency between 30-50 ms, which is close to Starlink.
Starlink's satellite internet facility will benefit remote, especially rural areas of Pakistan, where it will be possible to increase the average internet speed from five to ten Mbps to 50 to 100 Mbps through Starlink. This speed will improve the quality of video conferencing with the help of internet in rural and remote areas, which will help accelerate the process of social development by improving health, education, agriculture and streaming services.
The arrival of Starlink will introduce a new realm of possibilities for Pakistan's emerging gaming industry, where Starlink's superior (low) latency will help significantly improve gamer performance.
4K videos can be viewed easily on Starlink, while HD or Full HD streaming is possible with traditional broadband, but buffering may occur in 4K. This facility will lead to the growth of the Pakistani entertainment industry and will improve access to sports matches, TV shows and international content, while delivering high-quality content made in Pakistan to consumers.
Starlink, which provides satellite internet, requires clear and direct access to the sky, as its system relies on line of sight between satellites and ground stations. Tall buildings and unsightly construction in densely populated cities can affect Starlink performance in various ways.
While examining the benefits of Starlink's high-speed satellite internet facility, it is important to also mention the challenges that may hinder the achievement of this facility or the implications that may threaten Pakistan's internal security.
Urban infrastructure, such as tall buildings, bridges, and other structures in the path of Starlink services, can obstruct the signal between the satellite dish and the satellites. These obstructions can reduce signal strength or even completely cut off the internet connection. Uneven construction and narrow streets can create a lack of suitable space for the satellite dish, where it can see a wide area of ​​the sky. A large number of users can put pressure on the signal distribution in a limited area, which can reduce speed and quality of service. In addition, weather effects can also cause disruptions, including air pollution and fog in urban areas, which affect the satellite signal and exacerbate existing obstacles.
These issues and obstructions can reduce signal strength, which can affect download and upload speeds. Completely blocking the signal between buildings can cause the internet to drop out frequently. Obstructions can cause the signal to take longer to reconnect, which can increase latency.
Tall buildings and unsightly structures certainly pose challenges for Starlink services, but modern technology and satellite constellations can help mitigate these issues. Urban users need to install dishes in appropriate locations and take advantage of Starlink’s technical support. Around the world, these problems are being solved through technology, which can also be useful in countries like Pakistan.
Could satellite connectivity through Starlink increase security concerns in Pakistan?
Some security and regulatory concerns have been raised about the potential arrival of Starlink in Pakistan. Officials say the satellites could disrupt local frequencies, prompting a comprehensive policy that covers all aspects. Data transmission through foreign satellite networks could also raise national security concerns, as it could reduce government oversight and control.
The creation of a comprehensive regulatory framework is essential to address potential threats to national security, and these days, the Government of Pakistan and relevant agencies, in consultation with foreign experts, are preparing to create such a strong regulatory framework that will ensure the protection of the country's ideological and geographical borders and maximize the economic and social benefits of this important change in the world of technology and the Internet.