As Starlink continues its spread across African borders, the internet company has made headlines again with the one-year licencing agreement it made with the government of Liberia. The deal, inked by the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), aims to improve the nation’s internet coverage from its current 60% to near-universal access.
Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellite technology is positioned to deliver high-speed internet to even the most remote corners of Liberia, cutting the traditional infrastructure limitations. This initiative aligns with President Joseph Boakai’s commitment to technological advancement, following his virtual meeting with Musk earlier this year.
Abdullah Kamara, LTA’s Acting Chairperson, quoted the agreement as a “pivotal moment” for Liberia.
“For the first time in our country’s history, we are making universal internet access a reality. This agreement will allow Starlink to deliver high-speed internet to every village, town, and community, no matter how remote. It is a proud moment for me to be part of this, to usher Liberia into uncharted but well-deserved territory,” Kamara stated.
The deal also addresses concerns about Liberia’s existing internet infrastructure. With Starlink as a backup, the country aims to mitigate disruptions caused by outages in the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) fiber optic cable, which has faced three failures in the past year.
“For all telecom providers and regulators globally, one of the key indicators of success is access–ensuring that every citizen has the right to information and communication services. With Starlink’s satellite internet, we will achieve this access, making high-speed internet available even in the most remote parts of Liberia,” he explained.
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While some unauthorized sellers are already offering Starlink services, official operations are slated to begin in November. The LTA urges citizens to verify authorized resellers with their Internet Service Providers.
This technological leap is expected to unlock numerous opportunities for Liberians, potentially transforming sectors from education to healthcare. As Liberia embraces this digital revolution, the world watches to see how satellite internet might reshape connectivity in developing nations.
