A new telecommunications bill in Sri Lanka will pave the way for SpaceX to set up shop for Starlink in the country. The American company will be able to apply for an operating license and go live in South Asia.
SpaceX’s plan to expand its Starlink offering in Asia is getting a boost with the imminent passage of a new telecommunications bill. According to the country’s State Minister of Technology, Kanaka Herath, SpaceX will be able to apply for a license under a new category that will be introduced by the bill.
The bill will be voted on in the parliament on July 9th, the first time in almost three decades that the country is updating its Telecommunication Act. Herath said, “The change will enable issuing of three new types of licenses, one of which will allow Starlink to provide internet connectivity.
There are lots of challenges to constructing telecom towers, but Starlink can increase internet access faster, particularly in rural areas, and support economic growth.”
Herath added that Starlink will pay an undisclosed fee to apply under the new licensing category.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk met with Indonesian President Ranil Wickremesinghe during the country’s 10th World Water Forum. Last month, the company received preliminary approval to provide internet services.
Israel and the UN are negotiating the rollout of Starlink in Gaza.
