Starlink Satellite Fast Internet: PTA to grant license to Starlink
Officials at PTA confirm that Starlink would have to go for a commercial agreement with Suparco. In an effort to increase internet speed throughout the country, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has moved one step further by intending to issue a license to Starlink—a satellite internet company by Elon Musk. The officials from the PTA said that, in principle, a license has already been given to Starlink; now, the final step will be when the security clearance comes through, after which Starlink will be officially licensed. "Starlink's license is ready, and only security clearance is pending," PTA confirms to the reporters. The new high-speed satellite internet service, Starlink, is going to be introduced in the near future, and this can give a major fillip to internet connectivity over large parts of the country, especially in those rural and remote areas where conventional broadband services are either unavailable or slow. The PTA officials, who initially started
PTA wants to ensure registration of VPNs to ensure ‘uninterrupted operations’ in eye-opening article
PTA is concerned about VPN usage The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has announced the registration of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) through a "one window" system to support software companies, call centers, freelancers, and foreign missions/embassies in maintaining legitimate, secure, and uninterrupted operations, according to an authority statement. The statement further mentioned that this is an ongoing process being continuously optimized by the PTA, Ministry of Information Technology (MoIT), Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), and P@SHA. Since 2020, over 20,000 IPs have been registered for VPNs, the telecom regulator noted. The regulator also stated that the one window services are accessible via the PTA and PSEB websites. Earlier this month, amid reports suggesting a ban on VPNs, the PTA clarified that it was whitelisting VPNs through an "automated process" to ensure the smooth and secure operation of IT services and online businesses. This clarification followed PTA Chairman Hafeezur Rehman’s briefing to the Senate's Standing Committee on
Ministry of Information Technology (IT) Begins Preparations for 5G Spectrum Auction
According to sources, the Ministry of Information Technology (IT) has begun making preparations for the sale of 5G technology in Pakistan. Furthermore, it is said that the IT ministry has begun making plans for the rollout of 5G services and has given the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and related ministries directives. It is important to note that the 5G spectrum auction is likely to take place by August 2024, and the government hopes to raise millions of dollars from it, according to sources. Moreover, the amount of spectrum currently used by mobile operators is about 367 MHz, but the forthcoming spectrum auction will boost this volume to more than 600 MHz. It was previously claimed that the much-anticipated 5G spectrum rollout in Pakistan within 10 months is almost impossible since the country's mobile carriers apparently aren't ready to purchase 5G licences due to economic unrest. Dr. Umar Saif, the interim federal minister for information technology
