Colombo: Sri Lanka’s telecommunications regulator has granted a licence to Elon Musk’s Starlink, a satellite division of SpaceX, to offer satellite broadband services in the country, according to the president’s office.
This development follows Sri Lanka’s recent parliamentary approval of a new telecommunications bill, which amends the existing law for the first time in 28 years, facilitating Starlink Lanka’s entry into the market.
In March, Starlink proposed establishing operations in Sri Lanka, and the company will be required to pay a tariff for the licence, officials informed, as reported by the international news agency Reuters.
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With approximately 60% of the roughly 7,500 satellites orbiting Earth, SpaceX’s Starlink holds a dominant position in the satellite internet industry. Musk has also shown interest in expanding Starlink’s presence in South Asia, including a potential launch in India, although no formal plans have been disclosed yet.
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At the time of writing this article, Starlink has not yet responded to requests for comment.
