Minister of Communications, Boukar Michel, Announces Starlink’s Upcoming Arrival in Chad

Chad is set to witness a significant leap in its internet connectivity infrastructure, with the upcoming arrival of Starlink, the satellite internet service by SpaceX. The Minister of Communications, Boukar Michel, recently announced that Starlink will soon be available in the country, bringing much-needed improvements to the reliability and affordability of internet services.

According to Minister Michel, the arrival of Starlink will address one of the most pressing issues faced by Chadians in recent years: the inconsistent and costly nature of internet access. The Minister highlighted that internet connectivity has been a major obstacle for both businesses and individuals, hindering communication, education, and economic development throughout the country.

Since the beginning of 2024, Chad has been grappling with a significant internet service crisis, marked by unreliable connections and steep service fees that have made online access a luxury for many. This has affected not only urban areas but also rural communities, where access to the internet is often even more limited.

With internet being essential for everything from accessing educational content and healthcare services to participating in the global economy, the lack of dependable internet service has become a critical issue for the country’s development. By introducing Starlink, Chad aims to bridge the digital divide and ensure that all citizens can access high-speed internet, regardless of their geographical location or economic background.

Starlink’s satellite technology promises to revolutionize internet access in Chad by bypassing traditional ground-based infrastructure that has been difficult to maintain and expand across the country. Unlike terrestrial internet providers that rely on fiber optic cables or local towers, Starlink operates using a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites, which can provide stable, high-speed internet access even in remote and underserved areas.

This feature is expected to be a game-changer for Chad, where infrastructure challenges and vast distances between settlements have made widespread connectivity difficult. With Starlink, the government hopes to unlock new opportunities for Chadians to connect with the global digital economy, access educational resources, and improve their quality of life.

Minister Boukar Michel expressed confidence that the introduction of Starlink would not only improve the internet’s reliability but also significantly reduce the cost of internet services, which has been a major barrier for many households and businesses. Starlink’s competitive pricing model is expected to make high-speed internet more affordable, particularly in rural areas where costs for traditional internet services have often been prohibitively high.

The move is part of Chad’s broader efforts to modernize its digital infrastructure and align with global trends in digital transformation. As Starlink prepares for its launch, the Minister’s announcement has generated widespread excitement, with many hoping that it will mark the beginning of a new era of digital connectivity and innovation for Chad.

The country’s future development, particularly in areas such as education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship, may depend heavily on the successful integration of reliable and affordable internet access, and Starlink appears poised to play a pivotal role in shaping that future.