The Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, spacexannounced on Monday that it has begun the operation of star link services in Nigeria, the first African country to receive them.

Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX launched in 2019. It provides satellite internet access coverage to approximately 46 countries, also targeting global mobile phone service after 2023.

“Starlink is now available in Nigeria, the first African country to receive the service!” is read in a tweet published on the official page of the satellite firm.

SpaceX is an American spacecraft manufacturer, launcher, and satellite communications corporation headquartered in California.

It was founded by Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of Tesla and the microblogging site Twitter, with the goal of reducing the costs of space transportation to allow the colonization of Mars.

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Although Starlink’s internet services have been said to be accessible from anywhere in the country, bridging the existing internet connectivity gap in rural Nigerian communities where other network operators cannot deploy their services, analysts say the high Starlink’s cost may prevent many Nigerians from accessing this service.

Presenting the scorecard of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in the ICT sector, Nigerian Communications Minister Isa Pantami hinted last week that the country achieved 100 percent broadband coverage after the licensing and operation of SpaceX’s Starlink.

“According to the National Broadband Plan, we were supposed to have 90% broadband coverage by December 2025. However, we recently licensed Starlink to provide services and this has given us 100% coverage, approximately 3 years ahead of schedule,” said the executive. said the minister.

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