BEIRUT (AP) – Lebanon has officially granted a license to Elon Musk's Starlink, enabling the company to provide satellite internet services throughout the country, which is facing significant challenges due to its deteriorating infrastructure. This announcement was made by Information Minister Paul Morcos late Thursday.
Starlink's service in Lebanon will utilize satellites operated by Musk's SpaceX, marking a significant step in improving internet connectivity in a nation that has struggled with telecommunications issues. The approval came nearly three months after Musk held a telephone conversation with Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun, during which he expressed interest in engaging with the telecommunications and internet sectors of Lebanon.
During the same Cabinet meeting in which the Starlink license was announced, the Lebanese government appointed regulatory authorities for both the electricity and telecommunications sectors. Establishing a regulatory authority for the electricity sector is a long-standing demand from international organizations aimed at tackling corruption and inefficiency in Lebanon's troubled infrastructure.
The appointment of a regulatory authority for electricity had been delayed for over two decades, reflecting the persistent challenges faced by Lebanon’s governing bodies. This reform is considered pivotal for improving a sector that reportedly incurs a loss of over $1 billion annually due to mismanagement and inefficiency. The state-run Electricite du Liban (EDL) remains one of the most wasteful institutions in the country, compounded by political interference that has cost the state approximately $40 billion since the end of the Lebanese civil war in 1990.
Since taking office earlier this year, President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam have reiterated their commitment to implementing necessary reforms and combating corruption and decades of mismanagement. This agenda is crucial for addressing the economic crisis that the World Bank has characterized as one of the worst globally since the 1850s.
Lebanon has experienced chronic electricity shortages for decades, a situation that deteriorated significantly following an economic collapse that began in late 2019. Additionally, the 14-month conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which concluded in November, further exacerbated damage to the country's electricity and infrastructure.
In light of these ongoing challenges, the World Bank announced in April its decision to provide Lebanon with a $250 million loan. This funding is intended to help alleviate some of the electricity shortages that have plagued the nation.
