The Maldives has become the first country in South Asia to grant permission for the SpaceX Starlink company to establish its internet services.
The Communication Authority of Maldives (CAM) granted the Internet Service Provider (ISP) license to Starlink at a special ceremony. Minister of Environment, Climate Change, and Technology Aminath Shauna presented the license to Senior Director at SpaceX Ryan Goodnight. It was the fourth ISP license issued by CAM.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Shauna said it was a great opportunity to expand and develop internet services in the Maldives. She noted that internet services have become an important everyday resource in the Maldives, which is providing the most comprehensive internet services in the region. She also said that the Maldives has reached a new level in technology, as it is the first country to provide Starlink services in the South Asia region, adding that it was also the first to provide 4G and 5G services. She further highlighted the importance of the efforts made by the other three ISPs to introduce and expand internet services in the country.
Also at the ceremony, Senior Director Goodnight expressed confidence that Starlink will provide excellent services to Maldivians. He highlighted that Starlink is operating in 60 countries and is expanding its services across the globe.
Furthermore, Chief Executive of CAM Ilyas Ahmed emphasised that Starlink was awarded the ISP license due to its advancement in satellite technology. He said that the Starlink service can be used anywhere in the country, whether it be fishermen out at sea or those on uninhabited islands. He also said that CAM will continue to facilitate a competitive environment to provide cheap and modern internet services.
Starlink is the largest satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit to deliver high-speed, low-latency broadband internet service. Starlink satellites can provide internet access anywhere on the planet, even in remote locations that lack traditional internet infrastructure.