ISLAMABAD: Only a provisionallicence has been granted to Starlink to provide satellite-based internetservicesinthe countryand the final regulatory approval was still awaited, Federal IT Minister Shaza Fatima said on Monday.

The statement came during a meeting of the National Assembly`s Standing Committee on IT & Telecom, chaired by Syed Aminul Haque.

The minister said Starlink services were expected to be available in the country by the end of this year.

Starlink, the satellite internet service run by Elon Musk`s SpaceX, has recently been granted a provisional licence by the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB).

The federal minister said there were no complications in the licensing process, emphasising that satellite internet was a new technology andrequired carefulconsideration.

A Chinese firm Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology has also applied for a satellitebased internet licence, she added.

`The government is encouraging competition in the sector.

Retired Major General Hafeezur Rehman, the Chairman of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), informed the committee that a permanent licence would be issued once regulatory processeswere finalised and a consultant hired to finalise regulations for satellite-based internet services.

The PTA chief revealed that multiple spectrum cases were pending in courts and that if these cases remain unresolved, the 5G auction process could face hurdles.

`The country is currently utilising 274 MHz of the spectrum, which is insufficient.

`Approximately 860 MHz is required for smooth connectivity, the PTA chairman said.

The NA Committee appointed a sub-committee to analyse the pending litigation around spectrum issues, especially those that may potentially impact 5G auction, and analyse cases where litigants haveobtained stay orders.

Communication app The committee discussed the status of BEEP, an internet-based communication app for government officials. It was informed by Babar Majid Bhatti, the CEO of National Information Technology Board (NITB), that the app was ready for launch.

`The BEEP App has been developed for secure communication between government officials. It resembles WhatsApp in interface, but has enhanced security features, supports audio and video calls, sharing of documents, and enables Zoom-style video conferencing, Mr Bhatti added.