Yemen is nearing a licensing agreement with Elon Musk's Starlink to provide satellite internet service to the war-torn country, according to a senior government official.
Yemen’s internationally recognized government approached Starlink for satellite internet, to potentially improve connectivity in the conflict-stricken nation.
The Yemeni official disclosed that the government is finalizing the license, a process anticipated to conclude within a month, cited Bloomberg.
If approved, Yemen would join a limited group of Middle Eastern nations like Israel and Jordan in embracing Starlink technology.
Improved connectivity through Starlink could alleviate Yemen’s internet woes, notorious for censorship and sluggish speeds, as per SpeedTest Global Index.
Under the agreement, Starlink’s terminals, leveraging a vast private satellite network, would bypass the need for approval from the Houthi militant group, which governs much of Yemen.
It is to be noted that unlike conventional telecommunications networks, Starlink operates independently.
The deal marks a breakthrough after previous unsuccessful attempts to secure authorization in Yemen, amidst a civil war dating back to 2014.
SpaceX, the corporate entity behind Starlink, has yet to comment on the impending agreement.
A Bloomberg investigation in March highlighted Yemen among several regions where Starlink terminals were deployed sans explicit licenses. Both the Houthis and Yemeni authorities had issued warnings against unauthorized utilization of the service.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo: SpaceX Starlink via Shutterstock
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