Rwanda has recently announced the launch of Starlink satellite internet services, boasting high-speed capabilities in the country.
This significant development was unveiled at an event in Kigali, the capital city, by Rwandan Minister of ICT and Innovation, Paula Ingabire. He highlighted the move’s importance in ensuring digital inclusion in the nation. According to Ingabire, access to high-quality broadband internet service is no longer a luxury, but a necessity in this digital age.
With the introduction of Starlink services in Rwanda, the government has taken a crucial step towards creating a smart nation that promotes inclusivity, boosts the digital economy, and advances the digital society.
In line with Rwanda’s commitment to creating a smart nation, the new broadband policy aims to spur investment, create job opportunities, and provide affordable and quality broadband services to all Rwandans. The license includes the provision of high-speed internet services at affordable rates through a network of Low Earth Orbit satellites, as well as improving internet access in remote and rural areas.
According to the ministry’s information, the internet service recorded an average speed of 150 Mbps and exceptionally low latency of 20 to 40 microseconds during the testing phase. This improvement in connectivity will undoubtedly benefit Rwanda’s economy and its people.
In addition, the Rwandan government has unveiled its intention to link 500 distant schools with satellite internet terminals in order to facilitate access to digital learning materials for both educators and learners by providing high-speed internet connectivity.
This move further emphasizes Rwanda’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and providing quality education to its citizens, regardless of location.
Overall, the launch of Starlink services in Rwanda represents a significant step forward in the country’s journey towards digital transformation, and the benefits are set to be far-reaching.
The service is set to cost Rwf48,000 monthly, while the initial hardware, consisting of a dish, router, power supply and cable, costs Rwf572,000, bringing the total cost of the package to roughly over Rwf600,000.
While the new development is exciting, shouldn’t African nations focus on building their own telecommunications infrastructure rather than depending on foreign technology? Furthermore, with the launch of Starlink in African countries, there may be concerns about data privacy and security, particularly in light of past instances of data exploitation by Western corporations in Africa.
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