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Elon Musk’s Starlink in talks to enter Iraqi market

By Nadim Kawach
Elon Musk's Starlink sets sights on Iraq, aiming to revolutionise internet access for 47 million people. This strategic move is part of Starlink's broader Middle East expansion Alamy via Reuters
Elon Musk's Starlink sets sights on Iraq, aiming to revolutionise internet access for 47 million people. This strategic move is part of Starlink's broader Middle East expansion
  • Potential Starlink services
  • Supporting digital transformation
  • Improving Iraqi internet access

Starlink, a US satellite internet provider owned by billionaire Elon Musk, has sent a team to Baghdad to discuss pushing into the Iraqi market, a market of 47 million people.

Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Sudani met the team in Baghdad on Wednesday and the talks focused on potential services related to digital transformation and improving Iraq’s internet access.

Starlink, a low-orbit satellite network offering high-speed broadband services, operates in more than 125 countries and has sought to expand into the Middle East and North Africa, where telecommunication services are growing fast.

Early this year it had talks with Morocco to launch a project in the Sahara. The project could bring significant dynamism to Morocco’s southern provinces by providing high-speed satellite-backed internet, a local press report said this year.

Musk accompanied US president Donald Trump on his recent visit to the region, where a range of Starlink deals and announcements were announced. Musk said Saudi Arabia has approved the use of the company’s system for its aviation and maritime sectors.

Dubai’s Emirates airline is reportedly in talks to offer Starlink in-flight WiFi services.

Oman has already approved Starlink, while state-backed Qatar Airways announced in October it will provide Starlink internet service on all its flights within a year.

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