Chad, a landlocked country in Central Africa, has long struggled with poor internet connectivity. With only 6.5% of the population having access to the internet, the country has been left behind in the digital age. However, that is all set to change with the arrival of Starlink, a satellite internet service provided by SpaceX.
Starlink is a constellation of satellites that orbit the earth, providing high-speed internet to remote and underserved areas. The service was launched in 2018 and has since been expanding rapidly, with over 1,500 satellites currently in orbit. Chad is one of the latest countries to benefit from the service, with the first batch of Starlink terminals arriving in the country in June 2021.
The arrival of Starlink in Chad is a game-changer for the country. With internet speeds of up to 150 Mbps, the service will provide a much-needed boost to the country’s economy and education system. It will also enable people in remote areas to access healthcare services and connect with friends and family.
One of the main advantages of Starlink is its low latency. Latency refers to the time it takes for data to travel from one point to another. With traditional satellite internet services, latency can be as high as 600 milliseconds, which can make activities such as video conferencing and online gaming impossible. Starlink, on the other hand, has a latency of around 20 milliseconds, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.
Another advantage of Starlink is its affordability. Traditional satellite internet services can be prohibitively expensive, with monthly fees of several hundred dollars. Starlink, on the other hand, costs $99 per month, making it accessible to a much wider range of people.
The arrival of Starlink in Chad has been welcomed by the government and the people. In a statement, the Minister of Posts and Digital Economy, Dr. Idriss Saleh Bachar, said, “The arrival of Starlink in Chad is a major milestone in our efforts to bridge the digital divide in our country. We are confident that this service will have a transformative impact on our economy and society.”
The people of Chad are also excited about the arrival of Starlink. In a survey conducted by the government, 85% of respondents said they were looking forward to using the service. Many people in the country have already pre-ordered the service and are eagerly awaiting its launch.
The arrival of Starlink in Chad is just the beginning of a revolution in internet connectivity in the country. With the service set to expand rapidly in the coming years, more and more people will be able to access high-speed internet, transforming the country’s economy and society. The government is also working on a range of initiatives to improve internet connectivity, including the construction of a fiber-optic network and the deployment of 4G and 5G networks.
In conclusion, the arrival of Starlink in Chad is a major milestone in the country’s efforts to bridge the digital divide. With its high-speed internet, low latency, and affordability, the service will have a transformative impact on the country’s economy and society. The people of Chad are eagerly awaiting the launch of the service, and the government is committed to ensuring that internet connectivity continues to improve in the country.