HIGH COSTS
But observers have raised the issue of cost, as Starlink can be expensive going by global rates.
A one-time hardware set-up fee of nearly US$400 and a monthly subscription rate of US$126 is steep in a country where the average monthly income is under US$300.
Starlink is not the only satellite internet service provider eyeing the Pakistani market. One other company awaiting approval is China’s Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology.
Pakistan said the permission for these satellite internet companies to operate is likely to come within six months.
This potentially gives Pakistanis more options, said Usama Khilji, director at Pakistan-based research and advocacy organisation Bolo Bhi.
“The more companies you have offering services the better it is for the country, because you have more choice, you have more variety,” he added.
“And when they are competing, they will try to decrease their prices to capture more of the market chunk.”
