Monrovia – In July, the Executive Mansion announced that President Joseph Boakai held a virtual discussion with Elon Musk, one of the world’s wealthiest businessmen. The news sparked mixed reactions. Now, less than two months later, one of the key topics from that discussion is taking shape.
On Wednesday, the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) revealed that Starlink, the satellite internet provider owned by Musk’s SpaceX, has expressed interest in operating in Liberia.
“The global internet provider is seeking a one-year provisional license to provide internet services throughout Liberia, introducing healthy competition to our telecommunications landscape,” the LTA stated. “A full LTA Board of Commissioners held a productive meeting with Starlink today, reviewing the draft license. It will be forwarded to their consul for review and final input. Signing and rolling out Starlink services will begin once the final document is signed.”
The global internet provider is seeking a one-year provisional license to provide internet services throughout Liberia providing healthy competition to our telecommunications landscape. A full LTA Board of Commissioners held a productive meeting with Starlink today reviewing the draft license. It will be forwarded to their Consul for review and final inputs. Signing and rolling out Starlink services will begin once the final document is signed.
Liberia Telecommunications Authority
Starlink’s satellite-based internet service leverages low Earth orbit satellites to deliver high-speed internet to areas with limited or no connectivity. Its potential to provide reliable internet access in rural and remote areas could transform education, healthcare, and economic opportunities in underserved communities. Starlink is already operating in several African countries, including Nigeria, Rwanda, Mozambique, and Kenya.
Why Starlink?
Despite a moderate increase in internet usage in Liberia, more than half of the population remains without access. Liberia’s internet penetration stands at just 33.6% of the population of 5.2 million, according to data from DataReportal. Many believe that Starlink’s entry could significantly boost connectivity, especially in rural areas.
Starlink’s satellite technology offers greater coverage and can be implemented faster than fiber optic cables, which, while more reliable, are costly to set up. “Given that it has been about 13 years since the deployment of the Africa Coast to Europe submarine optical fiber cable, and Liberia’s internet penetration has not expanded as quickly as we had hoped, Starlink’s deployment might be the solution to bridging the digital divide,” noted a local tech enthusiast.
One way to test Starlink’s viability and performance in Liberia is through a pilot project that targets a crucial sector: education. By introducing Starlink in schools across the country, the government can evaluate its impact, reliability, and capacity to bridge the digital divide. This strategy follows the example of Rwanda, a leader in technological innovation within Africa, which launched a similar pilot project to test Starlink’s capability before rolling it out on a wider scale.
Dr. Darren Wilkins, Chief Information Officer, Office of Information Technology
University of Liberia
Evangeline Kaye, a local resident, commenting on social media, expressed excitement: “Thank God for this beautiful progress. Our home is getting WiFi soon, and I can’t wait to connect it to the TV and other electronic devices.”
Concerns Over Market Impact
While many are enthusiastic about Starlink’s potential, some business experts and economists are raising concerns about its impact on existing internet service providers, such as Lonestar Cell MTN and Orange Liberia. These experts urged the LTA to proceed cautiously, warning that rushing into a deal with Starlink could disrupt the market.
The LTA, however, insists it has conducted due diligence and points out the one-year provisional license is intended to assess Starlink’s impact on Liberia’s telecom landscape. “Technology is advancing, and Liberia should not be left out of the benefits of broadband connectivity nationwide,” the LTA said.
‘Follow Rwanda’
Prior to Wednesday’s announcement, the LTA had been advised to issue a temporary license to test Starlink’s viability in Liberia. Liberian tech expert Dr. Darren Wilkins recommended a pilot project targeting the education sector to evaluate Starlink’s impact. He pointed to Rwanda, which launched a similar initiative, introducing Starlink in 500 schools as a pilot to assess its performance before a broader rollout.
Dr. Wilkins, who currently serves as Chief Information Officer at the University of Liberia IT department, emphasized that Starlink’s high-speed internet could revolutionize learning by making e-learning platforms, digital libraries, and virtual classrooms accessible in even the most remote areas. He noted that Rwanda’s pilot project helped policymakers understand the challenges and benefits of Starlink’s deployment, shaping decisions regarding its integration into the national telecommunications landscape.
For Liberia, a similar approach could modernize the country’s education sector, ensuring equal access to learning resources for students across all regions.
