Elon Musk is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka in August to oversee the launch of Starlink, the satellite internet service offered by his company, SpaceX. This visit marks a milestone in Sri Lanka’s telecommunications landscape as the country prepares to introduce high-speed satellite internet nationwide.
The Sri Lankan government has given preliminary approval for Starlink, and significant strides have been made in updating the Telecommunications Regulatory Act to accommodate the new service. This marks the first major revision of the Act in 28 years.
Madhushanka Dissanayake, Director General of the Sri Lanka Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRC), stated that the regulatory framework for Starlink is currently being developed. The TRC is working on drafting new rules and regulations to align with the updated Act, with the aim of completing this process by the end of July.
Following the completion of the regulatory framework, Starlink will be granted a service provider license, paving the way for its official launch. Musk’s visit is expected to coincide with the final preparations for the service rollout.
Dissanayake also noted that once Starlink is launched, it will take approximately three weeks to fully implement the service. This period will be used to install the necessary equipment and set up the infrastructure required for the satellite internet service.
The introduction of Starlink in Sri Lanka is anticipated to significantly improve internet connectivity across the country, especially in remote and underserved areas. This development aligns with Sri Lanka’s efforts to enhance its digital infrastructure and provide better internet access to its citizens.
