By launching Starlink services in Rwanda, the government is taking a significant step forward in our commitment to creating a smart nation that promotes inclusivity, advances the digital society, and boosts the digital economy, the Minister of ICT and Innovation, Paula Ingabire said.
She made the remarks on Wednesday, February 22, during the official launch of the Starlink Internet service in Kigali where she was flanked by several government officials including Rwanda Space Agency (RSA) Chief Executive, Col. Francis Ngabo.
Also present at the event was Ryan Goodnight, the Director, Global Licensing and Market Activation at SpaceX.
Starlink is a satellite Internet constellation operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, and the latest broadband internet licensee on the Rwandan market.
The licensing, granted by the RSA, officials pointed out, will provide high-speed internet services with significantly affordable pricing models in Rwanda through a network of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, improving internet access in remote and rural areas where traditional wireless, cable, and fiber optic infrastructure is often limited or lacking.
"Access to high-quality broadband is no longer a luxury but a necessity in today’s digital age. By launching Starlink services in Rwanda, we are taking a significant step forward in our commitment to creating a smart nation that promotes inclusivity, advances the digital society, and boosts the digital economy. Our new broadband policy will help to spur investment, create jobs, and provide affordable and quality broadband services to all Rwandans,” Ingabire said.
According to Ngabo, during the testing phase, the internet service achieved average speeds of up to 150 Mbps, with very low latency of 20 to 40 ms.
Latency measures how much time it takes for your computer, the internet, and everything in between, to respond to an action you take (like clicking on a link).
"We believe that it is important to the country’s connectivity ambition and it is a significant step in providing options for end users.”
"We are glad to welcome Starlink services in Rwanda. We will continue to work with all stakeholders to create a conducive environment to attract other satellite operators to the Rwandan market.”
As part of ongoing efforts to connect all schools with broadband internet, Rwanda has scoped out 500 remote schools to be equipped with satellite internet terminals, providing high-speed internet access and digital learning resources for both students and teachers.
What are the priority areas?
By increasing access to digital resources, the program has the potential to bridge the digital divide in the education sector and create new opportunities for e-learning, online entrepreneurship, and digital services, according to the Ministry of ICT and Innovation.
It can also improve the quality of life for those living in remote areas and help spur economic growth and development. Overall, the government program to equip schools with satellite internet terminals is a significant step towards improving access to education and digital resources in the country.
For Ingabire, Starlink satellite broadband internet service comes to complement other existing efforts and expands the local broadband industry.
She pointed out that the government aims to promote healthy competition and innovation in the broadband industry by removing regulatory barriers that may hinder the entry of new technologies and services into the market.
This approach, she said, will guarantee that all consumers have access to high-quality and affordable broadband services, regardless of their location or place of work.