Starlink's satellite internet service can now be accessed in Somalia, months after winning regulatory approval, according to a social media post from the company.
Those at Starlink whose responsibility is increasing the availability of the company's high-speed, low-latency internet offering owned and operated by technology tycoon Elon Musk's SpaceX hailed adding Somalia to its list of more than 120 countries.
"It's our 25th market in Africa," wrote Ben MacWilliams, leader of Starlink's market access team on LinkedIn.
According to Starlink's website, the company's low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites and connectivity devices have given more than three million people around the world the ability to connect to high-speed internet where it was previously unavailable.
Starlink’s standard antennae devices, which connect to the company’s LEO satellites, weigh less than 3kg, contain no moving parts and can withstand strong winds.
Unlike traditional communications satellites, which orbit Earth at a range of 20,000km to 35,000km, Starlink’s thousands of satellites orbit at about 550km, increasing internet speeds and cutting down on latency.
In contrast to 5G or broadband internet, the satellite version does not depend on mobile towers or high-speed data lines, making connection possible in remote areas. LEO satellites have also proven effective in areas of conflict where internet infrastructure has been destroyed.
Starlink is largely considered to be the leader in the sector, with various estimates suggesting the company’s constellation consists of at least 7,000 LEO satellites.
Most recently, however, Amazon launched the first in a series of internet satellites for its Project Kuiper constellation, marking a new phase in the company's plan to challenge Starlink's dominance.
Some experts have said constellations of more than 50,000 active LEO satellites could be orbiting within the next decade.
Morgan Stanley estimates the satellite broadband market could be worth as much as $400 billion by 2040 – about 40 per cent of the estimated $1 trillion generated by the space industry that year.
Although more prevalent in many parts of the world in recent years, varying telecoms regulations have led to a methodical introduction of Starlink availability.
For example, while Starlink is available in nearby Oman, it is still pending regulatory approval in countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
A document posted to the UAE's Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority website shows that Starlink was granted a regulatory licence in 2024 specified for “maritime satellite internet services” that will last for about 10 years.
In May, during an appearance at the Saudi-US Investment Summit, Mr Musk claimed that Starlink had been approved for maritime and aviation use in Saudi Arabia.
ABU DHABI T10: DAY TWO
Bangla Tigers v Deccan Gladiators (3.30pm)
Delhi Bulls v Karnataka Tuskers (5.45pm)
Northern Warriors v Qalandars (8.00pm)
'Laal Kaptaan'
Director: Navdeep Singh
Stars: Saif Ali Khan, Manav Vij, Deepak Dobriyal, Zoya Hussain
Rating: 2/5
MATCH INFO
Newcastle United 2 (Willems 25', Shelvey 88')
Manchester City 2 (Sterling 22', De Bruyne 82')
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
The specs: 2018 Renault Megane
Price, base / as tested Dh52,900 / Dh59,200
Engine 1.6L in-line four-cylinder
Transmission Continuously variable transmission
Power 115hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 156Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.6L / 100km
Petrarch: Everywhere a Wanderer
Christopher Celenza,
Reaktion Books
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
'Panga'
Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Starring Kangana Ranaut, Richa Chadha, Jassie Gill, Yagya Bhasin, Neena Gupta
Rating: 3.5/5
THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 258hp at 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,550-4,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.4L/100km
Price, base: from D215,000 (Dh230,000 as tested)
On sale: now
Biography
Favourite Meal: Chicken Caesar salad
Hobbies: Travelling, going to the gym
Inspiration: Father, who was a captain in the UAE army
Favourite read: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter
Favourite film: The Founder, about the establishment of McDonald's
AUSTRALIA SQUADS
ODI squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa
Twenty20 squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa
TUESDAY'S ORDER OF PLAY
Centre Court
Starting at 2pm:
Malin Cilic (CRO) v Benoit Paire (FRA) [8]
Not before 4pm:
Dan Evans (GBR) v Fabio Fogini (ITA) [4]
Not before 7pm:
Pablo Carreno Busta (SPA) v Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) [2]
Roberto Bautista Agut (SPA) [5] v Jan-Lennard Struff (GER)
Court One
Starting at 2pm
Prajnesh Gunneswaran (IND) v Dennis Novak (AUT)
Joao Sousa (POR) v Filip Krajinovic (SRB)
Not before 5pm:
Rajeev Ram (USA) and Joe Salisbury (GBR) [1] v Marin Cilic v Novak Djokovic (SRB)
Nikoloz Basilashvili v Ricardas Berankis (LTU)
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
