Elon Musk's Starlink isn't just aiming for the stars. It's making a tangible difference on the ground.
What Happened: After pilot tests were launched in 2023 in partnership with the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, Starlink's satellite-powered internet has been installed in 40 health centers across regions like Rusizi, Rulindo, and Kigali, reported Teslarati.
In the past, many of these centers suffered from connectivity struggles. Starlink changed all that.
"The situation before was terrible. We had persistent issues with internet connectivity," Jean Louis Murhirwa, a midwife at Buyoga Health Centre, said.
Before Starlink, only a few devices could connect at a time, and rationing was necessary.
Starlink's presence has not only improved communication within these centers but has enabled efficient paperless workflows, faster patient care, and better coordination with national health initiatives.
Healthcare leaders, like Elie Ahimana from Kinini Health Centre, are calling for more widespread adoption of Starlink to further boost healthcare across the country.
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Why It Matters: While Starlink is enhancing healthcare in Africa, it's also helping disaster-stricken parts of the U.S.
Starlink founder and CEO Elon Musk recently announced that Starlink services would remain free for the rest of 2024 in areas affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
FEMA has already deployed Starlink to assist in North Carolina's Emergency Operations Center, ensuring that first responders can communicate even in the face of devastation.
Musk's Starlink has also begun working with T-Mobile US Inc TMUS to launch Starlink Direct-to-Cellular services.
What’s Next: Starlink is looking to expand in India, where it faces a battle over spectrum allocation with local telecom giants.
Musk is also under scrutiny for the role Starlink plays in the Russia-Ukraine war. Russian troops have significantly improved their attacks at the expense of Ukraine due to the growing number of Starlink satellites, The Washington Post reported.
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