Starlink internet services to be available at varsities, schools first, says Fahmi

Internet service provider, Starlink, will make its services available at schools and higher education institutions first, according to Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

He said this is in line with the recent announcement made by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

"I have presented the network facility and service provider licence to Starlink, allowing them to provide satellite internet services in Malaysia, especially in remote areas," Fahmi stated in a post on Facebook today.

On July 15, the prime minister said the government plans to install 40 satellite internet devices from Starlink at higher education institutions around the country to help students who were unable to study due to unreliable internet connectivity.

Anwar said the decision was made during his recent virtual meeting with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.

Apart from that, Fahmi said the government is also ready to cooperate with satellite internet service providers, including Starlink, to achieve 100% internet coverage in populated areas.

Currently, 97% of populated areas in Malaysia have internet access, while the remaining 3% face challenges due to geographical issues, such as remote and isolated areas, which pose difficulties in network infrastructure development.