Bahrain’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has granted a license to Elon Musk’s rocket company SpaceX in order to offer Starlink satellite and internet services in the country.
Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX. It provides satellite Internet access coverage to 32 countries, where its use has been licensed and aims for global coverage.
Bahrain is the first Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country to grant a license for this service. Starlink is a new and innovative service that uses a network of satellites along the Earth’s orbit in low altitudes. This allows it to provide fiber-grade internet services to consumers across the world, including those in residential and commercial units, as well as ships and planes.
“Further, this service will help to maintain the Kingdom’s position, as a leading contender in the telecommunications markets, with Starlink being able to offer services to consumers in Bahrain and the wider region,” as per the statement.
Mr. Philip Marnick, General Director of TRA, stated that “Bahrain’s position as a communications hub, with an open and advanced competitive market, makes it an ideal place to introduce new services.”
“We are pleased that Starlink chose Bahrain as the first market in the Gulf to seek licenses for its services. This will ensure that consumers and businesses in the Kingdom continue to have access to the most advanced communications capabilities and services,” Mr. Marnick further added.
Last year, TRA issued the first license to execute e-signature and trust services to the region’s leading fintech and electronic financial transactions service firm BENEFIT.
