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Iraq Licenses Starlink for Affordable Satellite Internet
Iraq has licensed Starlink to provide high-speed satellite internet, targeting regions where terrestrial networks remain unreliable or unavailable.
Image: ITzine
Iraq has authorized Starlink to operate in the country, opening the door to satellite broadband in areas where fixed and mobile networks remain unreliable or unavailable. Authorities say the service should provide faster, more secure internet, while also offering pricing accessible to ordinary users.
The agreement with Elon Musk’s company was announced by Balig Abu Kalal, head of the executive committee of Iraq’s State Commission for Media and Communications. He said the license would give users access to high-speed satellite internet and help communities where terrestrial infrastructure cannot yet meet demand.
Starlink’s role outside Iraq’s major cities
The service is expected to be most useful on Iraq’s periphery rather than in Baghdad and other major urban centers. Businesses and government agencies in those areas often need backup connectivity, while satellite terminals can expand coverage without waiting for lengthy construction of ground networks.
For a country with long distances and sharply uneven network quality, that could make satellite connectivity faster to deploy than conventional telecom projects. Starlink has already become a practical option in remote regions, at sea, and in areas affected by geography or the aftermath of conflicts.
Iraq’s decision also adds to competition in satellite broadband. OneWeb is pursuing similar markets, while Amazon Kuiper is expected to enter the sector. If Starlink’s pricing is genuinely affordable for mass-market customers, it could quickly build an audience outside Iraq’s largest cities—and put pressure on local operators to improve service beyond the capital.
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Maxim Tretyakov is a technology journalist focused mainly on mobile phones and automotive technology. He has written 740 articles covering flagship smartphone launches, including Xiaomi and Apple devices, neural-network features in consumer gadgets, and the state of Russia’s domestic auto industry. His expertise spans hardware from graphics-card concepts to smart rings, as well as technology-market regulation.
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via ITzine
