Iranians turn to Starlink amid internet blackout
Despite a nationwide internet blackout, Iranians are using Elon Musk’s Starlink service to access the internet, according to AI-Monitor via Reuters on January 12th.
In some areas of Iran, Starlink access was still available, despite the internet shutdown amid the civil unrest which has seen a growing number of protestors being killed in Iran. Public anger erupted within Iran due to the country’s economic state, triggered mainly by a spike in inflation.
The internet blackout has prompted outrage amongst Iranians. Starlink, founded by Elon Musk, is a satellite internet service. The connection, provides full access in rural and remote areas – provided there is not extreme weather that disrupts the connection. Starlink works from service which is beamed directly from thousands of low-earth orbit satellites.
The internet feature is known to many in Iran, and was used as a way for the public to send videos and images of violence from Iranian security forces’ clashes with protesters.
Previously, Elon Musk had shipped Starlink terminals to Ukraine, offering free internet there. Standard terminals cost roughly $599 with an added monthly fee, which is reportedly unaffordable for a lot of Iranians.
Starlink, however, has been a useful tool for many citizens in providing a valuable connection with the outside world, such as in Ukraine and Sudan. Various countries have been using Starlink for a prolonged period of time. Internet blackouts, either state-imposed or via a form of disruption such as armed conflict, have resulted in the usage of Starlink in the hopes of a connection to the outside world.
Starlink itself isn’t licensed for operation within Iran, yet Elon Musk stated it was ‘approaching 100 Starlinks active’ within Iran.
After a 12-day war between Iran and Israel back in June, Iran’s parliament passed a law which prohibited the use of Starlink in the country, bringing in tough penalties for those who used the unlicensed technology.
Al-Monitor via Reuters, Maghrebi.org
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