SpaceX Close to Deal for Starlink Internet in Yemen

SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, is on the verge of finalizing a deal to provide Starlink satellite internet to Yemen, reports Bloomberg. The agreement could significantly enhance connectivity for the war-torn nation, where years of civil war have left millions struggling, and Iran-backed Houthi rebels continue to disrupt global trade by attacking ships in the Red Sea.

A senior Yemeni government official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the negotiations, revealed that the government is in the final stages of negotiating a licensing agreement with SpaceX, the parent company of Starlink. However, the deal is expected to take about a month to be completed.

If the agreement is finalized, it could revolutionize connectivity in Yemen, which currently ranks among the worst in the world in terms of internet access, speed, and censorship, largely due to the ongoing conflict. It would also be a significant win for Yemen’s Saudi-backed and UN-recognized government over the Houthi rebels, who control much of the country and have used their control over telecommunications networks to suppress dissent.

It’s important to note that while Starlink’s technology is reportedly already in use in Yemen, the proposed deal would make Yemen one of the few countries in the Middle East officially licensed to access Starlink’s satellite network. Previous reports have suggested that there is a black market for Starlink technology in countries such as Sudan, South Africa, Venezuela, Zimbabwe, and Russian-occupied Ukraine, where unauthorized groups have reportedly been able to access the service.

Starlink’s satellite-based internet service has the advantage of being less vulnerable to attacks by groups like the Houthi rebels, as the satellites are located in orbit. This contrasts with traditional telecommunications infrastructure, which is more susceptible to attacks on the ground. Musk’s ambitious goal is to eventually offer Starlink’s services globally, including cell phone services, leveraging the world’s largest private constellation of satellites to overcome geographical and infrastructural challenges.

In recent months, Houthi militants have escalated tensions in the region by attacking trade ships in the Red Sea. They are also suspected of targeting undersea cables that carry global internet and telecoms services through the waterway. While the militants have denied cutting these crucial fiber optic cables, they have continued their attacks on ships, claiming solidarity with the people of Gaza.

Elon Musk, with an estimated net worth of $199.6 billion, is the second richest person on Earth, after Bernard Arnault of LVMH, having recently surpassed Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Much of Musk’s wealth comes from his leadership of companies like Tesla, SpaceX, xAI, Neuralink, and The Boring Company. He also owns the social media platform X, which he acquired as Twitter in 2022.