Kacific and PAKSAT Partner to Expand High-Speed Internet across Pakistan

ISLAMABAD,Pakistan,March 11,2025 – A groundbreaking partnership between Kacific Broadband Satellites group (Kacific) and PAKSAT is set to transform internet access across Pakistan. With a notable 54% of the population currently lacking reliable broadband,this collaboration aims to bridge the digital divide by harnessing the power of the Paksat MM1 satellite. The initiative promises to deliver high-speed,affordable satellite internet,addressing the nation’s growing connectivity needs and stimulating economic growth in remote regions.

A Commitment to Nationwide Connectivity

The partnership will leverage 11 Ka-band spot beams on the Paksat MM1 satellite, providing high-throughput capacity for over 20,000 sites. This infrastructure will offer essential broadband access to communities, businesses, government agencies, ISPs, and telcos, enabling mobile backhaul and backup connectivity, particularly in areas where conventional infrastructure is limited or nonexistent. This strategic move aims to overcome geographical barriers and infrastructure limitations that have historically hindered internet access in remote areas.

Muhammad Yousuf Khan, Chairman of SUPARCO, emphasized the association’s long-standing commitment to Pakistan’s technological advancement.

SUPARCO’s story is one of unwavering ambition. As its inception, we have been driven by a vision to propel Pakistan’s journey into the cosmos. The partnership between PAKSAT and Kacific will certainly bridge the digital divide in Pakistan and will empower countless communities.

Muhammad Yousuf Khan, Chairman of SUPARCO

Dr. Shahid Rasheed, CEO of PAKSAT, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the positive impact on the country’s economy and communities.

Improving Pakistan’s connectivity will have a positive impact on the country’s economy and its communities. the people of Pakistan, like those of other developed countries, can expect to enjoy fast, affordable internet wherever thay live and work. That’s a goal that PAKSAT is striving to achieve day and night.

Dr. Shahid Rasheed, CEO of PAKSAT

Christian Patouraux, CEO of kacific, underscored the company’s dedication to Pakistan’s digital future.

With this partnership, Kacific is making a long-term investment in Pakistan’s digital future. We’re expanding ISP partnerships, training KAD installers, and deploying essential infrastructure to meet the country’s growing connectivity needs.

Christian Patouraux, CEO of Kacific

Addressing Urgent Connectivity Challenges

Pakistan faces significant hurdles in providing widespread broadband access. Despite increasing demand, over 131.8 million people remain offline. Fiber penetration is notably low, with fiber-to-the-home access under 5%. Moreover, only 15% of the country’s 55,000 cell towers are fibre-connected, falling short of the 40% international benchmark. Kacific’s high-speed satellite service offers a viable solution, enhancing Pakistan’s mobile backhaul capabilities and bypassing infrastructure limitations at a lower cost than traditional fiber. This approach is particularly crucial for connecting rural and underserved areas where laying fiber optic cables is economically unfeasible.

Paksat-MM1: Unlocking Potential

Launched in May 2024, Paksat-MM1 provides 99% availability with seamless nationwide coverage. Gateway beams over lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad ensure real-time monitored connectivity, supported by 24/7 assistance from Kacific’s Singapore Operations Center. The satellite’s capabilities are expected to significantly improve communication services across the country. The high availability and comprehensive coverage of Paksat-MM1 are essential for ensuring reliable internet access, even during adverse whether conditions or in remote locations.

Following the launch of Paksat-MM1, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed it as a “momentous occasion,” recognizing its potential to revolutionize Pakistan’s digital landscape. Minister of State for IT & Telecom, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to digital inclusion, emphasizing the satellite’s role in enhancing connectivity, particularly in remote areas.

Strategic Partnerships for Digital Conversion

Kacific is collaborating with key strategic partners to ensure reliable and cost-effective connectivity:

• Paksat International (Pvt) Limited (PAKSAT): markets the satellite capacity of national Communication satellites, including PakSat-MM1, a high-power multi-mission satellite providing communication services in Ka, Ku, C, and other bands.
• SUPARCO (Pakistan’s Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission): Pakistan’s national space agency, ensuring seamless satellite operations.

Kacific brings a proven, scalable broadband model, delivering high-speed connectivity across 25 countries. With extensive experience in large-scale VSAT deployment, rural network infrastructure, and disaster response, kacific has connected over 500,000 users.The company provides end-to-end support, from satellite payload operations to network management, ensuring seamless and affordable broadband expansion in Pakistan. This comprehensive approach ensures that the project is not only technologically sound but also lasting and user-amiable.

Affordable Internet Solutions

Kacific is introducing its gigstarter plans, offering unlimited data and easy, low-cost installation for residential and business users. The company will offer three plans for the consumer market: an entry-level 30/20 mbps plan and two with higher speeds and bigger priority data quotas: 60/20 and 100/20 Mbps. These plans are billed per site monthly, providing cost-effective solutions for diverse connectivity needs. Kacific will sell the services in Pakistan via Operators registered with the regulatory bodies. In addition, Kacific intends to train and certify hundreds of Kacific Authorized Distributors to install, resell, and maintain sites across Pakistan, fostering community engagement and economic growth.This localized approach ensures that the benefits of the project are distributed widely and sustainably.

A New Era of Digital Empowerment

The partnership between Kacific and PAKSAT is poised to transform Pakistan’s digital landscape, empowering communities, driving innovation, and unlocking new economic opportunities. By combining Kacific’s global

Revolutionizing Pakistan’s Connectivity: A Satellite Internet Partnership Poised for Success

Over 54% of Pakistan’s population lacks reliable broadband access. Is satellite internet the key to unlocking the nation’s digital potential?

Interviewer: dr. Anya sharma, welcome to World Today News. Your expertise in telecommunications and satellite technology is highly regarded. Let’s dive into the groundbreaking partnership between Kacific and PAKSAT to expand high-speed internet access across Pakistan. can you explain the significance of this collaboration for a nation grappling with a important digital divide?

Dr. Sharma: Thank you for having me. This partnership is incredibly significant as it directly addresses a critical bottleneck in Pakistan’s economic and social development: the lack of widespread broadband access. The fact that over half the population lacks reliable connectivity represents a massive missed prospect. Kacific and PAKSAT’s collaboration offers a viable and scalable solution to bridging this digital chasm, leveraging satellite technology to reach even the most remote and underserved regions.

Interviewer: The initiative utilizes the paksat MM1 satellite. Can you elaborate on its capabilities and how it overcomes the limitations of traditional terrestrial infrastructure?

Dr. Sharma: Paksat MM1 is a powerful multi-mission satellite with wide coverage, providing high-throughput capacity via Ka-band spot beams.This is crucial as traditional methods like laying fiber optic cables are frequently enough cost-prohibitive and practically impossible in many parts of Pakistan’s challenging terrain. Satellite internet, however, bypasses thes geographical limitations, providing a cost-effective and efficient solution for delivering broadband to underserved communities, businesses, and government entities. The high availability and seamless nationwide coverage offered by Paksat MM1 are also key factors in ensuring reliable service.

Interviewer: What are the specific economic and social benefits anticipated from this enhanced connectivity?

Dr. Sharma: The impact will be multifaceted. Economically, it will stimulate growth in remote areas by enabling access to online markets, e-commerce opportunities, and remote work possibilities. This can empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), fostering innovation and job creation. Socially, increased connectivity will improve education and healthcare access through online learning platforms and telemedicine services. It will also facilitate better communication and data sharing, empowering citizens and strengthening social cohesion.

Interviewer: The partnership involves several key players,including SUPARCO and various Pakistani telecommunication companies. How does this collaborative approach contribute to the project’s success?

dr.Sharma: This collaborative approach is essential. SUPARCO’s role ensures seamless satellite operations and demonstrates national commitment. Partnerships with local telecommunication service providers allow for efficient deployment and local market understanding. Kacific’s experience in large-scale VSAT deployment and network management brings critical technical expertise and a proven track record. This integrated approach significantly enhances the project’s sustainability and effectiveness.

Interviewer: Let’s talk about the affordability aspect. How does Kacific’s gigstarter plans cater to diverse needs and contribute to digital inclusion?

Dr. Sharma: Affordability is key to achieving widespread digital inclusion. Kacific’s gigstarter plans offer tiered options—entry-level, mid-range, and high-speed packages—that cater to varying budgets and usage requirements. By providing different service levels, the initiative ensures that as many people as possible can access and afford internet services. This includes offering low-cost installations and monthly billing per site.

interviewer: What are the key challenges that could hinder the success of this project, and what steps can be taken to mitigate them?

Dr. Sharma: One challenge is ensuring that the infrastructure is well-maintained and that technical support is readily accessible, notably in remote areas. Moreover, digital literacy programs are also essential to empower people to use the newly available technology effectively. Proactive measures, such as robust training programs for local installers and end-users, alongside continued investment in infrastructure and customer services can minimize these challenges.

Interviewer: In your expert opinion, what potential does this project have for influencing similar large-scale initiatives in other underserved regions globally?

Dr. Sharma: This Pakistan initiative serves as a powerful case study and model for other countries facing similar challenges. The prosperous deployment of scalable and affordable satellite internet solutions can be replicated in numerous regions with equally significant digital divides. It presents a compelling demonstration of how a collaborative public-private partnership, leveraging satellite technology, can effectively bridge the connectivity gap and drive transformative development.

Interviewer: Dr. Sharma, thank you for sharing your valuable insights. This partnership between Kacific and PAKSAT holds incredible promise for Pakistan’s future. Readers, what are your thoughts on the potential impact of this initiative? Share your perspectives in the comments below or join the conversation on social media.