Sri Lanka grants preliminary approval for Elon Musk's Starlink to provide Internet services

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka on Thursday said it has granted preliminary approval for Starlink to provide satellite-based Internet services in the island nation, less than a month after President Ranil Wickremesinghe met its owner Elon Musk in Indonesia and discussed the issue.

State Minister of Technology Kanaka Herath said that the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) has granted preliminary approval for 'Starlink' satellite internet service.

"This initiative will deliver a fast internet service as well as to the education, research, tourism, fisheries, and agriculture sectors, while also providing global access via this internet facility," Herath said.

The decision comes less than a month after President Wickremesinghe met Elon Musk in Bali on the sidelines of the 10th World Water Forum High-Level Meeting and spoke about Sri Lanka being connected to the Starlink network.

Currently, approximately 2,000 "Starlink" network centres are operational worldwide, providing high-speed internet access to 32 countries.

"Starting today, we are collaborating with Starlink to provide internet facilities via satellite technology, marking a significant transformation in the technology sector. Unlike the limited internet facilities provided by towers, this satellite-based technology allows for internet connectivity from virtually anywhere. This represents a major advancement in the field of technology," Herath said.

Wickremesinghe has instructed a relief package for school children, fishermen, and researchers to ensure they can access this internet service. Plans for implementing this relief package are currently being prepared, officials said.

"Starlink" is yet to be established as a telephone network company in Sri Lanka.

The initial setup or registration cost for this service ranges between USD 400 and USD 600, with a monthly fee of USD 99.