News

Starlink In Lebanon: An End To Lebanon’s Internet Nightmare?

The Ministry of Telecommunications has looked into the SpaceX satellite system to improve connectivity.

Published

3 years ago

November 2, 2023

Nour Nasir

Starlink

While the rest of the world enjoys speedy web browsing and downloads, Lebanon’s internet infrastructure remains a nightmare. The country’s aging or non-existent telecom infrastructure means poor connectivity in remote locations and frequent disconnects and technical issues even in urban areas.

Now, with the Israel-Hamas conflict threatening to spill over into neighboring regions, Lebanon’s already patchy internet connectivity could become even worse, with telecommunications usually one of the first pieces of infrastructure to be targeted during an attack.

To address these problems and provide enhanced connectivity, Lebanon’s Ministry of Telecommunications has explored Elon Musk’s Starlink system, which relies on 3,200 satellites, negating the need for fixed wires and other paraphernalia.

Caretaker Minister of Telecommunications Johnny Corm thinks that Starlink could be the key to solving Lebanon’s internet woes, explaining that “The ministry will grant licenses to companies that will sell this system to individuals through the Ministry of Telecom. We will not have to pay anything,” in response to questions about how such a partnership would work.

Although expensive for individuals, Starlink would allow businesses to expand their operations with faster and more reliable internet connections. In addition, the SpaceX service would enable Lebanon to better connect to the global digital economy.

Also Read: The Largest Data Breaches In The Middle East

However, there are downsides to the satellite-based system. One of the major obstacles is cost, as the technology is much more expensive than traditional cables or fiber optics solutions. Additionally, the satellite signal could be disrupted by bad weather or other natural causes. Finally, the government would need to establish regulations to ensure the service complies with global standards.

Nevertheless, where the Lebanese government has historically been unable to meet citizens’ needs for reliable internet, Starlink has the potential to make a difference and provide a welcome boost to the Lebanese economy in the process.

Related Topics:Internet Lebanon SpaceX Starlink

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For etisalat, More Bandwidth Is A Matter Of Digital Sovereignty

The etisalat group plans to expand its international capacity from 20 Tbps to more than 500 Tbps by 2030, with new routes designed for speed and resilience.

Published

2 days ago

October 6, 2026

Nour Nasir

for etisalat, more bandwidth is a matter of digital sovereignty

Emirates News Agency

By 2030, etisalat group plans to lift its international connectivity capacity to more than 500 terabits per second (Tbps), more than 25 times the 20 Tbps it has today. The group presented the expansion as preparation for rising AI demand and an important move for the UAE’s digital sovereignty.

His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, witnessed the launch of the project, which covers the UAE and international markets. Sheikh Mansour is also Chairman of the Emirates Investment Authority, etisalat group’s main shareholder.

He emphasized the role of coordinated national efforts in advancing the UAE’s AI and digital economy ambitions. “AI is a central pillar in our development journey moving forward,” he said, adding that developing the country’s digital capabilities would empower every institution, public and private, to build and innovate with AI “at the scale the coming decade will demand”.

“This project reflects our conviction that the UAE should not simply adopt AI, but govern it and build with it,” said H.E Jassem Mohamed Bu Ataba Alzaabi, Chairman of etisalat group. “That requires digital infrastructure at a scale that would prepare us for the future”. He cast greater international connectivity as a strategic answer to the challenges of processing and moving data globally.

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Beyond raw bandwidth, the expansion will introduce new connectivity routes intended to improve reliability and efficiency, and Alzaabi tied them directly to the sovereignty goal. “Delivered through diversified routes and low-latency design, the project is set to keep the country’s connection to the global digital economy fast, direct and resilient, while ensuring the UAE’s digital sovereignty,” he said.

He also linked the plan to the group’s 50-year commitment to building infrastructure for the nation. The announcement didn’t mention what the expansion will cost. Nor did it name the new routes or say who will build them, the details that would show what digital sovereignty means in practice.