Yemen is close to securing a licensing agreement with Elon Musk’s Starlink to provide satellite internet services in the war-torn country, according to a senior government official. The move could dramatically improve connectivity in a nation where infrastructure has been severely damaged by ongoing conflict.
The Yemeni government initiated discussions with Starlink to address the country’s long-standing issues with slow internet speeds and heavy censorship. The official revealed that the licensing process is expected to be completed within a month, according to Bloomberg.
If the deal goes through, Yemen would become one of the few Middle Eastern nations, including Israel and Jordan, to adopt Starlink’s satellite technology.
Starlink, powered by SpaceX’s private satellite network, offers an alternative to traditional internet services, allowing it to function independently of local infrastructure and bypass the need for approval from groups like the Houthi militant faction, which controls large parts of Yemen.
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This development follows failed attempts to bring satellite-based internet to Yemen since the civil war erupted in 2014.
Improved connectivity through Starlink could provide relief for Yemeni citizens and businesses, who have long suffered from inadequate internet access, as reflected in Yemen’s poor performance in the SpeedTest Global Index.
Starlink’s entrance into Yemen would mark a major milestone, enabling reliable, uncensored internet access in a country struggling with political instability and deteriorating infrastructure.
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