Starlink embarks upon procedures for its establishment in Morocco
SpaceX subsidiary SpaceX Satellite Internet Services will soon initiate administrative procedures in Morocco with an aim of offering Internet coverage even in remote regions of Morocco.
SpaceX’s Starlink satellite Internet access solution has yet to launch in Morocco; however, administrative procedures have already begun for its establishment as an entity in Casablanca; evidence of its keen interest in Morocco being evidenced by initiating these procedures and discussions between SpaceX and ANRT regarding license approval pending officially being given permission by it. According to sources with knowledge on this matter, discussions continue between SpaceX and ANRT while no official authorization has yet been given by it for Starlink services to operate here.
ANRT plans to issue Starlink licenses starting 2025, ushering in a new era of connectivity for remote areas. Leveraging low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites as fast and reliable connections. Starlink technology excels in areas with difficult network deployment such as fiber optics or 4G/5G due to high costs or geographic restrictions.
Starlink’s entry onto the Moroccan market offers significant opportunities, yet challenges to surmount. Their focus will be to offer high-speed Internet access in landlocked regions like Atlas Mountains or vast desert territories of South, thereby helping reduce digital divide and include rural populations into their nation’s digital ecosystem.
Accessing this service remains costly; with initial equipment costs estimated at $6500 dirhams and monthly subscription costs estimated at around 1,100 dirhams for most people living in Egypt this service remains out of reach for many of those seeking it.
On a technological front, satellite deployment in low orbit poses some concerns in terms of interference management and management of signals that come in at higher altitudes.
OneWeb is keenly interested in entering the Moroccan market and has plans to do so as early as 2025, following Starlink’s lead and working alongside local partners for integration of its services into existing infrastructures. Both networks possess formidable track records when it comes to deployment across their global networks and markets respectively.
Starlink has rapidly increased its deployment across Africa with ambitious plans to provide high-speed Internet access throughout. Countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Benin and Rwanda already benefiting from Starlink technology while others like Liberia recently signed agreements containing this solution.