Barran Press
The internationally recognized Yemeni government has announced the launch of SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service in Yemen, following the completion of all necessary procedures.
The government confirmed the launch during a meeting held in Aden, the temporary capital, on Tuesday, August 6th, presided over by Prime Minister Ahmed bin Mubarak. According to the official Yemeni News Agency (Saba), the launch of Starlink will provide affordable and high-speed satellite internet access to all segments of the population.
Regarding the timing of this move, Yemeni telecommunications expert, Engineer Raed Al-Thabeti, explained that the official launch of Starlink comes "as part of the Yemeni government's duty to ensure secure and affordable internet access for Yemenis residing in areas under its control."
In an interview with "Bran Press," Al-Thabeti stated that while public and private telecommunications and internet networks are present in Sana'a, the Houthis have controlled them since the start of the war. This prompted the need for an alternative, with Starlink emerging as the optimal choice, particularly for high-speed internet access.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Al-Thabeti highlighted the potential benefits of Starlink for both the private and public sectors, as well as individuals. He believes that the service will fulfill a significant portion of the population's internet needs, especially considering the existing demand exceeding supply.
He sees Starlink as a vital and essential service, considering its role as the backbone of the global economy today. The service's accessibility from anywhere on Earth makes it valuable for all regions of Yemen.
Al-Thabeti emphasized the service's ability to eliminate the need for extensive infrastructure, such as fiber optic cables and other installations, required for high-speed internet connectivity. This represents a significant advantage.
He explained that Starlink offers high-speed internet with individual monthly packages ranging from 50 to 200 megabits per second, a speed currently unavailable in Yemen. For governments and institutions, the speed reaches 600 megabits per second, which Al-Thabeti described as "excellent." He also noted that the service will contribute to the government's revenue through company earnings and will ensure the safety of individuals, particularly leaders and those targeted by the Houthis.
Al-Thabeti further outlined additional benefits of Starlink, including its potential to assist various sectors like journalism, education, and healthcare. The service will address many challenges related to internet access and usage.
Despite the advantages, Al-Thabeti acknowledged some drawbacks, including the relatively high cost of the service. However, he noted that compared to existing market offerings, the pricing is deemed reasonable. He stated that the cost for a single station starts at $70, while devices, according to the company, range from $500 to $700 for the second and third generations.
Another concern, according to Al-Thabeti, is the lack of control, particularly regarding ethical issues, as internet access on this network is open. He stressed the need for network owners who benefit from this service to implement mechanisms for regulating access and preventing access to harmful websites.
A Major Blow to the Houthis
Al-Thabeti pointed out that the introduction of Starlink will be a major blow, if not a decisive one, to Yemen Net, which is monopolized by the Houthis. It will also significantly reduce their revenue.
He explained that the majority of internet usage today is through various networks, including 4G, 3G, 2G, terrestrial internet, and high-speed fiber optic internet. Therefore, this service will deal a severe blow to the Houthis' revenue from telecommunications services.
Al-Thabeti stated that the Houthis had banned this service for almost three years because they were aware of its potential impact. He believes that the service will reach their controlled areas despite their efforts to prevent it.
He added that thousands of devices have been brought into Yemen, and many are already operating in Houthi-controlled areas, albeit secretly. He expects the Houthis to launch campaigns to prevent the service, claiming it poses a significant threat to their security and project.
Al-Thabeti accused the Houthis of militarizing communications in the past, targeting many individuals, harassing journalists, and targeting leaders.
He believes that the Houthis will not allow the use of this service in their controlled areas, but it will reach them due to its nature as a private satellite dish system, which is relatively easy to install and direct.
He emphasized that the service will reach all areas, and people will rely on it for various reasons, including its affordable prices, high speed, and ease of installation and operation in any part of Yemen.
What is Starlink?
Starlink is a satellite internet service created by SpaceX, owned by American billionaire Elon Musk. It aims to provide internet access in underserved areas where traditional internet service providers are not available.
The Starlink system consists of thousands of satellites orbiting in low Earth orbit, interconnected to create a network capable of providing high-speed internet access.
The service works by connecting users to the satellites via a dish antenna connected to a router and modem, which in turn are connected to the internet.
This service was designed to connect disaster-stricken areas and war zones to the internet. It has been used by Ukraine during the current war with Russia. Currently, the service is available in only 40 countries, excluding Palestine.