The government is proposing to install Starlink satellite broadband receivers at higher education institutions to upgrade internet connectivity in campuses. This was revealed by prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to reporters during the launch of the Rural Entrepreneur Mini Carnival at Sungai Petani on Saturday.
He added that the matter was part of the talk with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who is also the founder of Starlink’s operator SpaceX, during a virtual call that was held on Friday. In case you missed it, both parties agreed to hold a meeting last week to discuss the billionaire’s plan of furthering his investments in Malaysia.
“So during the meeting with Musk, I told Fahmi Fadzil (Communications and Digital Minister) yesterday, to purchase the (Starlink) devices soon and we will install it at any universities that need it,” Anwar told reporters. He explained that higher education institutions such as universities, polytechnic and schools would be the first to be equipped with the receivers, as slow internet connectivity are the most common complaints he had received during his visits to these establishments across the country.
Musk has agreed to provide Malaysia with 40 Starlink receivers and also assured to provide more units if required, the prime minister said. These additional devices, should the government request for them, are expected to be distributed to rural areas to assist local entrepreneurs. “He wants to know where we are heading, our priorities are the rural economy, food security and the digital economy,” Anwar added.
It is also worth noting that SpaceX previously updated the availability date for Starlink in Malaysia earlier this year. According to the company’s website, the satellite-based internet service is expected to debut in the country sometime in the second quarter of 2023, but no further information has been disclosed just yet.
On a related note, last week’s meeting also confirmed the establishment of Tesla’s headquarters in Malaysia, particularly in the state of Selangor. It is expected that the EV firm will reveal more information regarding this during its official local launch that’s happening later this week on Thursday, 20 July 2023.
(Source: The Star)
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