Is Starlink available in Pakistan in 2025? — Full guide, prices, and how to get it
Curious if Starlink works in Pakistan in 2025? Get the latest on regulatory approval, expected prices (USD → PKR), plans, setup, pros & cons, and step-by-step ordering info.
Yes — in 2025 Starlink made clear regulatory progress toward operating in Pakistan and received important authorizations that opened the door for service. Starlink’s global retail prices (listed in USD on Starlink’s official site) provide the baseline — e.g., residential plans start at $40/month — which, converted to Pakistani rupees using prevailing 2025 exchange rates, gives an approximate monthly cost in PKR. Regulatory details and final local pricing/fees depend on Pakistani licensing terms and any local taxes, import duties or surcharges.
What happened in 2025
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Starlink (SpaceX) had been engaged with Pakistani regulators for several years; by early–mid 2025 the company won a no-objection certificate (NOC) and moved into licensing talks that would allow it to offer services in Pakistan. This was reported by several international news outlets.
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Pakistan’s telecom and space regulators have continued negotiations about operational rules (e.g., security, shutdowns in certain areas, registration procedures), so commercial launches and retail availability were tied to final licensing terms. Local reporting and regional telecom analysts covered these regulatory steps through 2025.
Official Starlink prices (baseline USD figures)
Starlink sells service plans on its official site. The main consumer plans (global listing) commonly shown in 2025 are:
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Residential (entry): $40 / month (advertised as ~100 Mbps residential option).
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Residential (higher tiers): $80 / month and $120 / month for faster tiers and business-grade plans.
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Roam / On-the-Go / Mobility plans start around $50 / month for nomads / RVs (pricing varies by plan).
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Hardware (rooftop dish / kit): historically a one-time hardware fee around $349 for standard kits, although SpaceX has been experimenting with subscription models that can reduce or waive upfront hardware cost in some markets.
Important: those USD figures are Starlink’s global list prices; local availability, taxes, import duties, licensing fees or surcharges in Pakistan may change the final retail price there.
Convert to Pakistani Rupees (example conversion)
Exchange rates fluctuate. Using representative 2025 exchange data (late 2025), 1 USD ≈ 280–283 PKR (daily rates vary). Applying a ~PKR 281 / USD midpoint gives these ballpark conversions:
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$40 / month ≈ ₨11,240 / month (40 × 281).
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$80 / month ≈ ₨22,480 / month.
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$120 / month ≈ ₨33,720 / month.
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Hardware $349 ≈ ₨98,129 (349 × 281), unless local promotions or zero-hardware deals apply.
Note: Pakistan may add customs/import duties, VAT or telecom licensing surcharges, so final consumer prices can be noticeably higher than these direct USD→PKR conversions. Always check the local authorized seller / PTA guidance before purchase.
How to check availability and order (step-by-step)
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Check Starlink’s official availability map and enter a Pakistani address on starlink.com — that will show if service is available or if the area is “pending regulatory approval.” (Starlink’s map is the canonical source for current coverage.)
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Look for an official local partner or authorized distributor. After regulatory approvals, SpaceX often uses local partners or legal entities to handle import and subscriber onboarding. Pakistani news outlets and PTA updates announce authorized operations.
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Expect registration requirements. Pakistan’s regulators may require user registration, device import approval and adherence to security rules (temporary shutdowns for sensitive regions, lawful intercept, etc.). These are typical conditions discussed during licensing.
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Payment & currency: Starlink typically bills in USD in many markets; local billing or PKR invoicing depends on how Starlink structures operations in the country. If billed in USD, expect exchange rate and payment method impacts.
What to expect from Starlink in Pakistan (speeds, latency, use cases)
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Speeds: typical consumer speeds advertised for Starlink residential plans usually range from tens to several hundreds of Mbps depending on plan and local network demand. Business tiers offer higher throughput and SLAs.
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Latency: lower than geostationary satellite internet (due to low Earth orbit constellation), suitable for video calls, online schooling, gaming (improved vs legacy satellite).
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Best use cases: remote towns and villages with poor terrestrial broadband, emergency connectivity, businesses in underserved regions, and mobile/roam use for vehicles/boats (with mobility plans).
Risks, unknowns & extra costs specific to Pakistan
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Regulatory surcharges & security terms: Pakistani licensing may include clauses requiring the ability to suspend service in given areas for security reasons, or payment of spectrum/royalty/registration fees. These can influence price and availability.
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Import duties & VAT: hardware (dish/router) could attract customs duties and VAT which increase the effective hardware cost in PKR.
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Currency volatility: the PKR-USD rate has been volatile in 2025; this can make USD-billed services more expensive in local currency. (Example exchange-rate sources show 2025 averages near PKR 280–282 per USD.)
Official statements & credible reporting (sources you can check)
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Reuters reported Starlink received an NOC to begin offering services in Pakistan (March 2025 coverage), a key regulatory milestone.
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Al Jazeera, regional outlets and local reporting described Pakistan’s multi-step approval process (registration, licensing) and ongoing talks with SpaceX before full commercial rollout.
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Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) historically warned consumers not to pay advance money while regulatory matters were unresolved, and has been involved in negotiations with Starlink. Always watch PTA bulletins for the latest consumer guidance.
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Starlink’s official site lists the service plans (USD pricing) and the coverage/availability map — the authoritative place to check live availability for a specific address.
Practical tips before you buy
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Wait for official local channels (authorized reseller or Starlink-Pakistan page) to avoid scams and overpriced preorders. PTA cautioned consumers in past interactions to avoid paying advance money before formal authorization.
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Compare total landed cost (service + hardware + customs + VAT + any license fees) in PKR — not just USD list price.
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If you need short-term connectivity, check if providers already offering VSAT or 4G/5G alternatives might be more cost-effective while Starlink rolls out.
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Watch for promotions: in 2025 SpaceX introduced subscription promotions that could waive the upfront hardware cost in some markets — monitor official Starlink news for such offers.
Starlink’s entry into Pakistan in 2025 represents a major opportunity to expand high-speed internet to remote and underserved communities. Official news outlets reported an NOC and regulatory progress in 2025; Starlink’s global price list provides the baseline USD costs (e.g., $40/month for an entry residential plan), and converting those to PKR gives approximate local costs — but expect extra local taxes, duties and licensing fees. For the most reliable, up-to-date answer for your exact address: check Starlink’s official availability map and watch PTA / local news for the local retail launch and final PKR pricing.
FAQ
Q: Can I order Starlink in Pakistan today?
A: As of 2025 Starlink had secured major regulatory approvals (NOC) and was in the licensing/rollout phase; availability for individual addresses should be checked at Starlink’s official map. Final consumer availability and local sales depend on the licensing timeline and commercial launch.
Q: How much will it cost in Pakistani rupees?
A: Using 2025 exchange rates (~PKR 281 per USD), Starlink’s $40/mo plan would be roughly ₨11,200 / month before local taxes and fees. Hardware (~$349) converts to roughly ₨98,000 — but final local pricing may differ. Always confirm with official local pricing once Starlink is sold through authorized channels.
Q: Is Starlink legal in Pakistan?
A: Yes — regulatory milestones in 2025 indicate Pakistan authorized Starlink to proceed under specified conditions; full legal operation requires compliance with licensing terms and registration. Monitor PTA announcements for precise legal conditions.