Sri Lanka Changes 28-Year-Old Law To Introduce Elon Musk’s Satellite Internet Sri Lanka has changed its 28-year-old Telecommunications Act to introduce satellite internet technology. The President of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe, posted on social media X and said that the new Telecommunications Act has been approved by the Parliament.
With the approval of the new Telecommunications Act by the Parliament, Sri Lanka will distribute three categories of licenses. It also includes a satellite internet service license. Along with this, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk’s Starlink Internet based on satellite technology will easily get permission in Sri Lanka.
President Wickremesinghe has said that with the approval of the revised Act, this step will bring a revolution in the field of Internet connectivity. He believes that high-speed satellite internet will help the youth to access global education resources. He mentioned that satellite internet will be provided in the fishing business as well.
Similarly, he believes that since rural areas will have access to the Internet, it will also help the country’s economy, and during natural calamities, satellite Internet will be useful for emergency communication to ordinary citizens.
With the amendment of the Act, Starlink will certainly get a permit. After getting the permission, Starlink has to pay the tariff for the license. The tariff fee will be issued by the telecommunication regulator there.
“There are many challenges in building telecom towers everywhere. But Starlink will increase internet access at a faster speed. We believe that this step will be appropriate, especially for economic growth and bringing internet to rural areas,” said Minister Herath.