News Americas, New York, NY, November 21, 2024: Elon Musk is now reportedly eyeing the oil-rich CARICOM, South American nation of Guyana, even as he positions himself to become one of the most powerful people in Donald Trump’s administration.
SpaceX and satellite Internet service founder Starlink is seeking a license to operate in Guyana, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo. The move could bring new connectivity opportunities to the country, especially for remote hinterland regions.
Starlink, a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX and founded by the billionaire entrepreneur, owner of X, Trump campaign supporter and newly appointed co-head of the Department of Government Efficiency, an entity that Trump indicated will operate outside of government boundaries, it is currently under review by the Guyanese government.
Speaking at his weekly press conference today, Dr. Jagdeo said the proposal is “actively under consideration” and highlighted the potential benefits of giving Starlink an official license, including tax revenue for the government.
Currently, Starlink services are accessed informally in Guyana, with private individuals importing equipment to provide Internet access in underserved areas. Dr. Jagdeo noted that this arrangement is unfair to other companies offering similar services, as they are required to pay taxes. An approved license for Starlink would ensure the company adheres to the same regulatory standards.
Discussions about Starlink’s possible entry into Guyana were first revealed after a meeting in July between President Dr. Irfaan Ali and Elon Musk. The Office of the President described the talks as focusing on economic innovation, technological advancements and opportunities within various sectors of Guyana’s fast-growing economy.
If approved, the presence of Starlink could significantly increase internet connectivity throughout Guyana, especially in regions where traditional infrastructure has struggled to keep up with demand.
ABOUT STARLINK
Starlink is a satellite Internet service operated by Starlink Services, LLC, a subsidiary of SpaceX, the American aerospace company founded by Musk. With coverage spanning over 100 countries and territories, Starlink aims to provide high-speed global mobile broadband, playing a key role in SpaceX’s growth trajectory.
Since launching the first satellites in 2019, SpaceX has placed over 7,000 small satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) as of September 2024. This figure is expected to grow, with plans for up to 34,400 satellites in the future. The network reached a milestone of 1 million subscribers in December 2022 and reached 4 million by September 2024.
Starlink satellites are developed and controlled at SpaceX’s facility in Redmond, Washington, where research, manufacturing and orbit management are performed. The ambitious project, estimated in 2018 to cost $10 billion, reported $1.4 billion in revenue in 2022. By 2024, that figure is projected to rise to $6.6 billion.
Starlink has also found critical applications in government operations, including its use in the Russian-Ukrainian War under a US Department of Defense contract. SpaceX has introduced “Starshield”, a version of Starlink adapted for military and government use.
While Starlink has transformed internet access globally, it has faced criticism from astronomers over potential disruption to ground-based astronomy and concerns about orbital congestion. SpaceX has implemented measures to reduce satellite illumination and equipped the satellites with collision avoidance technology and Hall effect thrusters for safe de-orbiting.
Starlink continues to advance global connectivity, bridging digital divides and expanding its influence across industries and regions.
