Lebanon’s cabinet granted a license to Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet service operated by SpaceX, to provide internet distribution across the country, initially targeting companies under plans that follow months of negotiation.
Lebanon’s cabinet has approved a licence for Starlink, the satellite internet venture led by Elon Musk, to offer internet distribution services via SpaceX satellites across all Lebanese territory.
The decision was announced by Tony Saad, a spokesperson for Telecommunications Minister Charles Hage, who said Starlink Lebanon was awarded the licence after approximately six months of negotiations with the government.
Saad added that the service will initially be restricted to companies, with subscription packages starting at US$100 per month.
Existing internet access in Lebanon has been dominated by state-owned providers and their affiliates, many of whom had strongly opposed granting Starlink a licence.
The licence follows a phone call earlier this year between Elon Musk and President Joseph Aoun, during which Musk expressed interest in Lebanon’s telecommunications and internet sectors.
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