BUSINESS

Saudi Arabia Gives Green Light to Starlink

Saudi ArabiaMon May 19 2025
A big win for Elon Musk's SpaceX. Saudi Arabia has given the thumbs up to Starlink. This means that the satellite internet service can now operate in the country. The news was shared by Musk himself during a visit by former U. S. President Donald Trump to the kingdom. The announcement was made at the Saudi-U. S. Investment Forum. Musk mentioned that Starlink would be particularly useful for maritime aviation. This is a big deal because it shows how satellite internet can reach places where traditional internet struggles. Musk also dropped a hint about Tesla's future plans. He suggested that Tesla's robotaxis could hit the roads in Saudi Arabia. These are self-driving cars that Tesla is testing in places like Austin and San Francisco. However, they are not yet available to the public. The approval comes at an interesting time. There have been reports that the U. S. government has been encouraging countries to approve Starlink's use. This is especially true for countries facing heavy tariffs. The idea seems to be that better internet access could help these countries in trade talks. Starlink has been making waves recently. It started offering its services for free outside the U. S. This move is likely to boost its user base and show off its capabilities. The company is owned by Musk's SpaceX, which is known for its innovative space technologies. There have been some questions about Musk's role in all of this. He has been involved with the Department of Government Efficiency. Some people have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, especially when it comes to Starlink. For example, the Federal Aviation Administration reportedly looked into a deal with Starlink that involved tens of millions of dollars. Musk's ventures are always in the spotlight. Whether it's SpaceX, Tesla, or Starlink, his projects often push the boundaries of what's possible. The approval in Saudi Arabia is just another step in his ambitious journey. It will be interesting to see how Starlink's presence in the country shapes up and what it means for the future of internet access in the region.

questions

    Could the push for Starlink's approval be a cover for surveillance activities in the region?
    Is the approval of Starlink in Saudi Arabia part of a secret deal involving Trump's tariffs?
    How will the introduction of Tesla's robotaxis impact the local transportation infrastructure in Saudi Arabia?

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