ISLAMABAD, 27 SEP (DNA) — Pak Datacom Limited (PDL) has increased its satellite bandwidth usage eightfold within one year, reflecting the growing demand for stable, secure and high-capacity communication services across the country.
The company is currently providing uninterrupted satellite connectivity to around 550 major government, financial and corporate organisations. According to a company spokesperson, the growing demand has accelerated the modernisation of PDL’s satellite network through High-Throughput Satellite (HTS) technology, additional bandwidth and multiple satellite platforms.
Following the end of the operational life of PAKSAT-1R and the discontinuation of its services, PDL shifted towards HTS technology as the required Standard Ku-band capacity was not available on MM1. The company has also further expanded its arrangement with Yahsat, which has been in place since 2016.
The spokesperson said Yahsat services had been operating in Pakistan for several years under the relevant legal and regulatory framework. More than 4,000 Yahsat links, including over 1,000 government links, are currently operational in Pakistan through multiple service providers.
PDL has adopted a multi-band and multi-platform strategy covering C-band, Ku-band and Ka-band, using HTS platforms including Yahsat and Kacific according to customer requirements. The strategy is helping address the limitations of legacy Ku-band infrastructure and provide more scalable connectivity.
According to the spokesperson, PDL’s satellite network incorporates Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), GRE tunnelling, firewalls, encryption, authentication and access controls to support secure connectivity between remote sites and customer networks.
PDL has also demonstrated its satellite capabilities in challenging geographical locations, including providing connectivity for the world’s highest-altitude ATM at Khunjerab Pass in Gilgit-Baltistan, located at approximately 15,396 feet above sea level and recognised by Guinness World Records.
The spokesperson said PDL was expanding beyond satellite connectivity. Following the acquisition of its Fixed Line License (FLL), the company had initiated work to expand its fibre infrastructure in key areas across Pakistan. The initiative is aimed at supporting high-speed connectivity while creating new direct and indirect employment opportunities.
The company said network modernisation and infrastructure expansion were continuing under the oversight of its Board of Directors and management, with a focus on secure, reliable and uninterrupted connectivity through satellite, fibre and other advanced telecommunications technologies. — DNA
