Key points
- Starlink promises growth and development in Pakistan
- Pakistani freelancers can compete with international ones
- Starlink to benefit online businesses in the country
- Seamless internet connectivity for rural Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s internet landscape has long been plagued by slow speeds, unreliable connectivity, and service disruptions.
According to Broadcast and Cablesat, for a country with an increasing digital economy and millions of internet users, such challenges reduce growth and development.
The potential launch of Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite-based internet service, in Pakistan could revolutionize the sector. It can also pose a lot of challenges to existing operators while promising substantial benefits for individuals and businesses alike.
Freelancers’ Boon
For Pakistan’s growing freelancing community, reliable internet is not a luxury but a necessity. Usama, a graphic designer from D.I.Khan, highlights the struggles freelancers face with inconsistent connections.
“Many of us miss deadlines due to internet outages, which impacts our income and reputation. People do not assign tasks because of internet issues,” he said.
Muhammad Umar, a Karachi-based content writer, said, “Stable internet is the necessary tool for freelancing. Starlink can end the connectivity issues that hold us back. If this happens we will be able to deliver better quality work and engage more clients.”
Starlink can empower freelancers to compete more effectively in the global market. Timely communication with international clients and unhindered project submissions could help Pakistani freelancers secure a larger share of the global outsourcing market.
Empowering Online Businesses
Pakistan’s e-commerce sector has experienced rapid growth. Online marketplaces and small businesses rely on digital platforms.
However, connectivity issues remain a main hurdle for growth, particularly in rural areas where traditional internet infrastructure is lacking.
Starlink’s satellite-based technology can bridge this gap by offering fast internet to remote and backward areas.
For entrepreneurs, this means the ability to reach wider audiences. Reliable internet also opens doors for tech start-ups to explore innovative solutions that will enhance the overall digital landscape.
New competition
The entry of Starlink can disrupt the market for established internet service providers (ISPs) in Pakistan.
These operators primarily rely on fiber-optic and cellular networks, Starlink’s satellite coverage offers an alternative that bypasses the limitations of traditional infrastructure.
This new competition can put pressure on ISPs to improve service quality and reduce costs, ultimately benefiting consumers.
Benefitting Remote Areas
One of Starlink’s important features is its ability to provide internet access in areas where connectivity is currently unavailable.
Pakistan’s rural and mountainous regions, often overlooked by ISPs due to the high cost of infrastructure development, can benefit.
This connectivity will also enable students to access online education, farmers to use digital tools for agriculture.
