Sri Lanka changes 28-year-old law to introduce Elon Musk's satellite internet
Sri Lanka has amended
the 28-year-old Telecommunication Act to introduce satellite internet technology.
Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said in a post on social networking site
X that the new Telecommunication Act has been approved by parliament.
With the approval of the new Telecommunication Act by parliament, Sri Lanka is going to distribute three categories of licenses. It also includes a license for satellite internet service. With this, starlink internet based on billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk's satellite technology is going to be easily allowed in Sri Lanka.
President Wickremesinghe has said that with the approval of the amended act, this step will revolutionize the field of internet connectivity. He believes that the high-speed satellite internet, in particular, will help the youth access global education resources.Satellite internet will also be a boon in the fisheries business, he said.
Similarly, he believes that the access to internet in rural areas will also help the country's economy and satellite internet will be useful for emergency communication to the common people even during natural disasters.
According to Sri Lankan Technology Minister Kanakka Herath, Starlink had requested the ministry in March to issue the license. Sri Lanka had given priority to Starlink's request and was preparing to amend the Act.
With the amendment of the Act, It has been confirmed that Starlink will get the license. After getting the permission, Starlink will have to pay a tariff for the license. The tariff will be issued by the telecom regulator.
"There are many challenges in building telecom towers everywhere. But Starlink will rapidly increase internet access. I believe this step will be appropriate, especially for economic growth and to provide internet access to rural areas," minister Herath said.
