Maldives issues ISP license to Elon Musk’s Starlink

Maldives, on Thursday, issued Internet Service Provider (ISP) license to multi-billionaire Elon Musk’s company, SpaceX’s Starlink, a satellite communication service project, for the provision of satellite internet services across the archipelago.

The license was presented to the local entity Starlink, Starlink Services Maldives, during a ceremony held at National Institute of Technology (NCIT) on Thursday evening. Technology Minister Aminath Shauna handed over the license to Starlink, which was received by Senior Director, Global Licensing & Market Activation at SpaceX, Ryan Goodnight.

Speaking at the ceremony, Shauna noted that the license was granted to Starlink after efforts spanning one and a half years. Underscoring the fact Maldives is the first country in South East Asia to have the privilege of Starlink’s services – Shauna said the current administration has undertaken various efforts to better internet service in the Maldives.

She cited the addition of satellite internet service to existing internet services as a step forward in guaranteeing internet accessibility across the nation.

Goodnight, who also spoke at the ceremony, expressed readiness to provide the service in the Maldives.

“We see Maldives as an important market for us,” he added.

Goodnight, noting the service is presently available in over 60 countries, expressed hope to expand the services to all nations in the near future.

Starlink provides Internet services by launching more than 1700 satellites into lower Earth orbit. The service has now expanded to all continents.