Starlink

2024 - 9 - 25

Starlink Takes Off: From California to Southern Africa and Beyond! 🌌🚀

Digital Divide - Elon Musk - Hawaiian Airlines - Internet Access - Lesotho - Satellite Internet - South Africa - SpaceX - Starlink

Elon Musk lands a new deal with Southern African countries while SpaceX celebrates yet another successful launch of Starlink satellites bringing internet power closer!

In the early hours of Wednesday, September 27, SpaceX lit up the Californian sky with the successful launch of 20 more Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base. This mission not only marked SpaceX’s 64th launch of Starlink satellites but also included 13 that bring the promise of direct-to-cell internet capability. The gray morning fog was no match for the Falcon 9 rocket as it soared into the skies, furthering SpaceX's mission of global broadband coverage.

As the news of the launch spread, excitement brewed across the southern African region, especially in Lesotho, where Prime Minister Sam Matekane's meeting with Elon Musk sparked anticipation for Starlink's imminent arrival. Residents are enthusiastic about the prospect of enhanced internet access that Starlink promises—a hope for a nation that has long battled connectivity issues. Meanwhile, a similar buzz reverberated in Namibia, where discussions between Musk and government officials were focused on bridging the digital divide, showcasing the widespread impact of these satellite launches.

On the flip side of the Starlink excitement in Southern Africa, Zimbabwe's government clarified that Starlink will face the same regulatory scrutiny and taxation as local internet service providers. This decision was part of an effort to ensure a level playing field and was greeted with mixed reviews from the tech community. Meanwhile, in contrast, Intelsat is stepping up its game, offering more affordable communications options for shipping companies, proving that alternatives to Starlink exist in the market.

This blend of technological advancement and regional politics showcases how interconnected the world has become. Whether it's with thrilling launches in California or strategic meetings with African leaders, the race for better internet connectivity is on. Keep an eye on Starlink’s footprint as they expand and upgrade internet services globally!

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Image courtesy of "Space.com"

SpaceX launches 20 Starlink internet satellites from California (photos) (Space.com)

SpaceX launched 20 more of its Starlink broadband satellites, including 13 with direct-to-cell capability, from California early Wednesday morning (Sept.

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Image courtesy of "SatNews Publishers"

SpaceX's Tuesday super foggy Vandenberg launch of 20 Starlink ... (SatNews Publishers)

Photo captured by Satnews from SpaceX video stream. Another foggy but successful Vandenberg launch as SpaceX's Falcon 9 sent 20 Starlink smallsats, including 13 ...

Lesotho: Basotho Anticipate Starlink Launch in Lesotho (AllAfrica.com)

Prime Minister Sam Matekane's meeting this week with billionaire, Elon Musk, has thrown Basotho into a frenzy, in anticipation of Starlink's launch in ...

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Image courtesy of "Teslarati"

Elon Musk meets with the President of Namibia to talk Starlink (Teslarati)

Mbumba notes that he spoke to Musk about potential investments into Namibia's technology sector, along with urging him to help bridge the country's digital gap ...

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Image courtesy of "Spaceflight Now"

SpaceX launches 20 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from ... (Spaceflight Now)

Liftoff of the Starlink 9-8 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California happened at 9:01 p.m. PDT (12:01 a.m. EDT, 0401 UTC). This was SpaceX's 64th ...

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Image courtesy of "Technology Zimbabwe"

Potraz Bans Starlink Authorised Resellers, Frampol, Dandemutande ... (Technology Zimbabwe)

It is a condition of the STARLINK Licences that such Agencies, Dealers and ISPs shall be subject to clearance by POTRAZ. This condition applies to both existing ...

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Image courtesy of "NewsDay"

No special treatment for Starlink: Govt (NewsDay)

These are TelOne, Aura, Dandemutande, Frampol, Zodsat and Namibia-based Paratus, which has an office in Zimbabwe.

Intelsat – VSAT communications available cheaper than Starlink (Digital Ship)

Shipping companies can access ship-shore communications over VSAT at cheaper rates than Starlink, by taking advantage of Intelsat's “FlexMaritime Vantage” ...

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Image courtesy of "Everyday Astronaut"

Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 9-8 (Everyday Astronaut)

Liftoff Time · Mission Name · Launch Provider (What rocket company is launching it?) · Customer (Who's paying for this?) · Rocket · Launch Location · Payload mass.

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Image courtesy of "Santa Barbara Edhat"

SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Set for Starlink Satellite Launch Tuesday ... (Santa Barbara Edhat)

Space enthusiasts and skywatchers are gearing up for a spectacular night as SpaceX is set to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base on ...

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Image courtesy of "pindula.co.zw"

"No Special Treatment For Starlink In Zimbabwe" (pindula.co.zw)

The Zimbabwean government has said Starlink will not receive any special treatment and will be taxed like local internet service providers and mobile ...

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Image courtesy of "MyBroadband"

Starlink must follow South African rules (MyBroadband)

Industry players say that if Starlink wants to officially launch in South Africa, it must play by all the same rules they have to.

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Image courtesy of "defence-blog.com"

Russia modifies Shahed drones with Starlink antennas (defence-blog.com)

Ukrainian forces have reportedly destroyed a Russian Shahed-136 long-range attack drone equipped with a Starlink satellite communication terminal.

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Image courtesy of "Business Traveler USA"

Hawaiian Airlines Launches Free Starlink Wi-Fi on all Airbus Flights ... (Business Traveler USA)

Passengers flying long-haul across the Pacific can now enjoy seamless internet access, making Hawaiian Airlines one of the first U.S. carriers to introduce this ...

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Image courtesy of "HMG Aerospace"

Hawaiian Airlines offers Starlink complimentary Wi-Fi to Airbus ... (HMG Aerospace)

Hawaiian Airlines has announced that it is now operating Starlink's Wi-Fi as a complimentary feature on all Airbus flights.

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Image courtesy of "Via Satellite"

Hawaiian Airlines Completes Starlink Install Across Airbus Fleet (Via Satellite)

Hawaiian Airlines has completed installing Starlink in-flight connectivity (IFC) across its entire Airbus fleet.

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Image courtesy of "SpaceNews"

Free Starlink Wi-Fi now on most Hawaiian Airlines transpacific fleet (SpaceNews)

Hawaiian Airlines announced Sept. 24 the start of free Starlink Wi-Fi on most of its transpacific fleet flying to and from Hawaii.

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Image courtesy of "Hawaiian Airlines | Newsroom"

Hawaiian Airlines Now Offering Fast and Free Starlink Wi-Fi Across ... (Hawaiian Airlines | Newsroom)

Hawaiian Airlines today announced it is now offering Starlink's high-speed, low-latency Wi-Fi free of charge to guests onboard all Airbus-operated flights ...

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Image courtesy of "Travel Market Report"

Hawaiian Airlines Now Offers Free Starlink Wi-Fi on Most Flights (Travel Market Report)

Hawaiian first debuted Starlink on its Airbus A321neo aircraft in February and the plan was to roll the service out to its entire fleet. As of Tuesday, it has ...

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Image courtesy of "Airways Magazine"

Free Starlink Wi-Fi Across Hawaiian Airbus Fleet (Airways Magazine)

Hawaiian Airlines now offers free Starlink's high-speed, low-latency Wi-Fi across its Airbus fleet.

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Image courtesy of "Eurasia Daily"

For the first time, the Russian Armed Forces used Shahed-136 ... (Eurasia Daily)

It is alleged that a drone equipped with a Starlink satellite connection was shot down by the Ukrainian Armed Forces during the repulse of a night attack by the ...

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Image courtesy of "Tekedia"

Starlink Begins The Disintermediation of GSM Operators in Africa ... (Tekedia)

In a formal letter addressed to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK), Safaricom urged the regulator to consider requiring satellite providers to partner ...

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Image courtesy of "ITWeb Africa"

Kenya's Ruto believes Starlink increases market competition (ITWeb Africa)

Following a call by Safaricom for increased protection from satellite internet players, the country's president believes their arrival will enrich the ...

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Is Elon Musk's internet firm Starlink a game changer for Africa? (BBC News)

It is the largest satellite internet provider around the world, and has already launched in several African countries. But will it be the solution to Africa's ...

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Image courtesy of "Business Daily"

Parties agree to fast-track Safaricom, Starlink case (Business Daily)

Appearing before Justice Lawrence Mugambi yesterday, the parties in the case including Kituo Cha Sheria, Safaricom and Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), ...

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Image courtesy of "SatNews Publishers"

Hawaiian Airlines now offering Starlink Wi-Fi across their entire ... (SatNews Publishers)

Since its launch on Hawaiian's Airbus fleet, Starlink has delivered outstanding performance without service interruptions, even while traversing the farthest ...

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