Elon Musk’s Starlink and Lebanon in talks to begin working together

Elon Musk’s Starlink and the Lebanese government are discussing making the internet service available in the country, Lebanon’s presidency said on Thursday.

President Joseph Aoun met with Starlink’s Global Director of Licensing and Development, Sam Turner, and was briefed on the negotiations between the company and Lebanon’s Telecommunications Ministry.

Lebanon’s Telecoms Minister Charles Hage also met with Aoun to update him on the progress, allowing Lebanon to become one of the 136 countries where the service is available.

The Lebanese presidency said Turner presented Starlink’s “most prominent benefits in enhancing satellite internet service, which will positively impact the work of industrial, commercial, banking, and educational institutions, as well as government departments and institutions.”

Lebanon is years behind in internet and telecommunications services and had been one of the most expensive countries to purchase mobile data plans.

Years of corruption and wasteful spending led to a major deficit and public debt.