Pak Datacom Explains Why It Shifted Satellite Services to UAE

Pak Datacom has provided an explanation for shifting its Ku-band satellite network from PAKSAT to YahClick, citing technical limitations, costs, modernization needs and business continuity. PAKSAT-1R had reached the end of its service life, leading to a move to PAKSAT-MM1 for C-band services. Currently, around 12.5 GHz of C-band capacity is still in use.

YahClick's Low Ku-band capacity, however, required costly modifications, prompting a switch to Ka-band. The company also deployed a firewall at its Islamabad office, emphasizing that security depends on the overall architecture, not just the satellite provider. YahClick has been active in Pakistan since 2015, with other providers utilizing its connectivity across various sectors.

Pak Datacom's shift to YahClick follows other industry practices and addresses the end-of-life for physical satellite hubs in Karachi and Lahore. The decision was driven by a range of factors, including technical, operational, commercial, security, infrastructure and business-continuity considerations, rather than just a move to a foreign provider.