It's not Starlink, but it can bridge Pakistan's digital divide

Last Wednesday, Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja celebrated the operationalization of the PakSAT-MM1 satellite as a solution to Pakistan's internet woes.

But while internet service providers say the satellite will help provide internet access in remote areas where laying fibre optic cables is a challenge, it does not offer a competitive alternative to global satellite internet providers.

PakSAT-MM1 was sent into orbit on May 30, 2024.

Not Pakistan's first communications satellite

Prof. Dr. Qamar Ul Islam, of the Institute of Space Technology, Islamabad, told Nukta that it is Pakistan’s second communication satellite.

The PakSAT-MM 1R (Paksat Multi-Mission Satellite 1 Replacement) satellite is a successor to the PakSAT-MM 1.

It will provide broadcasting, broadband, mobile backhaul, and VSAT connectivity services.

"The new PakSAT-MM1 is more powerful, smart, and more equipped," said Prof. Dr. Islam.

Before the launch, the satellite was designated PakSAT-MM 1R, but after the launch it is now referred to as PakSAT MM 1.

Who financed the satellite?

According to the China Great Wall Industrial Corporation (CGWIC), the PakSAT-MM1 is a project listed in the '2021-2030 Space Cooperation Outline Programs' between China and Pakistan financed by the Chinese government under a concessional loan.

The end user of the PakSAT-MM1 is Pakistan's Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco).

The satellite will be positioned at 38.2° E orbit slot, covering the mainland and surrounding areas of Pakistan, parts of the Indian Ocean, the Middle East, East Africa, and parts of Europe, with a service life of 15 years.

What is PakSAT-MM1?

Suparco's spokesperson Marya Tariq spokesperson told Nukta that the PakSAT-MM1 is equipped with 60 Transponders split across C-band, Ku-band, and Ka-band, a triband system that covers all frequency ranges and different signal polarizations.

Transponders provide communication channels between the transmitting and the receiving antenna on the satellite with the base station on the ground. They operate with a frequency band depending on the type of communication or service, allocated by regulatory bodies such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Ka-band Coverage

Suparco

Ku-band Coverage

Suparco

C-band Coverage

Suparco

• The C-band transponders will primarily be used for TV/HDTV broadcasting in South Asia, the Middle East, the horn of Africa, and parts of the U.K. C-band is less affected by rain, and considered to be better for satellite applications that need larger bandwidth.
• The Ku-band transponders will provide coverage over all of Pakistan, India, the Arabian Sea, as well as parts of the Arabian Peninsula. These transponders are better for satellite applications that need smaller bandwidth
• Meanwhile, the Ka-band HTS transponders will cover all of Pakistan and most of Afghanistan. While Ka-band has higher data transfer rates and a wide bandwidth because of its high-frequency bands, it needs more power and is more sensitive to atmospheric conditions.

For PakSat-MM1 HTS, three gateway beams have been designed over Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad, with the ability to "handle all the traffic of 11 user beams, thus enabling high-speed Internet connectivity."

'Closer to goal of universal internet access in Pakistan'

The Wireless & Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (WISPAP) says the satellite has the potential "to redefine connectivity across Pakistan, particularly in underserved and remote regions, positioning the country closer to its goal of universal internet access."

Shahzad Arshad, Chairman of WISPAP, highlighted the satellite’s indispensable role in closing the digital divide, especially in rural and remote communities where terrestrial infrastructure, such as fiberoptic networks, is either absent or prohibitively expensive.

"This satellite will facilitate the provision of essential services, from telemedicine to remote education to those who are most in need. It aligns seamlessly with WISPAP’s mission to advocate for equitable and affordable internet access for every citizen, irrespective of their location."

"The operationalization of PakSAT-MM1 represents a watershed moment for Pakistan’s digital future," Arshad told Nukta.

He also said that the PakSAT-MM1 satellite has a special system called an L-band satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) that works with the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), which helps improve GPS-like navigation.

Arshad said PakSAT-MM1 is a step towards a cohesive national satellite navigation strategy for civilian as well as conventional and strategic defence purposes.

How does the PakSAT-MM1 compare with Elon Musk's Starlink?

Dr. Shimail Daud, a tech businessman and former president of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industries (RCCI), says the impact of the satellite will depend on its bandwidth, coverage area and the available ground infrastructure.

While the PakSAT-MM1 is effective for connecting remote areas where laying fibre optics is challenging, in terms of broadband speed and reliability, geostationary satellites (such as PAKSAT-MM1) often have higher latency compared to low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites like those used by Elon Musk's Starlink.

PakSAT-MM1, as a geostationary satellite, orbits at a higher altitude (around 36,000 km) and thus has higher latency.

It provides regional coverage, which is suitable for broadcasting and broadband services but is generally slower and has higher latency compared to LEO systems.

While PakSAT-MM1 is a significant step for Pakistan’s digital and communication infrastructure, it cannot commercially replace high-performance satellite internet services due to its technical limitations in speed, latency, and overall service capabilities.

Its role will be more localized, focusing on bridging the digital divide within Pakistan rather than offering a competitive alternative to global satellite internet providers.