Elon Musk’s Starlink recently announced that it launched its services in Oman following approval from the country’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA). Oman joins Yemen and Qatar, where the company’s service is available.
Starlink is a low-orbit satellite technology that provides broadband internet services. It seeks to provide high-speed internet access in areas that lack access to such services. Starlink Muscat will cover all geographical areas of Oman, including comprehensive service areas, with speeds that can reach 100 Megabytes per second.
The company will also provide smart solutions to connect telecommunications towers in areas with difficult terrain. This will help promote digital transition and serve a number of economic sectors like oil and gas, mining, tourism and agriculture.
Starlink to expand regional presence
Earlier, the company said that Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan would have access to Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency internet service at some point in 2025. Notably, more than 50 percent of Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777 fleet, nearly 30 aircraft, now feature Starlink’s Wi-Fi connectivity, as disclosed by the airline’s CEO Eng. Badr Mohammed Al Meer.
In the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the company’s service map says availability is still pending regulatory approval. However, a document from the UAE’s Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) revealed that a satellite internet services license was granted to Starlink for the period of ten years in effect from June 12, 2024, to June 11, 203,4 to install, operate and manage the public telecommunications network and to provide the services specified in this license within the country.
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Starlink connects over 5 million people globally
Following the launch in Oman, Starlink revealed that its services went live in Armenia, marking the 130th market around the world where Starlink’s high-speed internet service is available. Last month, the company revealed that it has connected more than 5 million people with high-speed internet across 125 countries, territories and many other markets.
The introduction of Starlink in Oman will improve service quality and speed, enhance competition among providers, and support key sectors across the country, including oil and gas, mining, and tourism. Both individuals and businesses will have the opportunity to benefit from Starlink’s services as the company provides tailored solutions to different business needs.
Starlink Muscat was granted a Class 1 licence under Royal Decree No. 42/2023, issued on June 20, 2023, authorising the establishment and operation of a satellite communications system to provide fixed public telecommunications services in the Sultanate.