• Government fast-tracked the process by even amending the Telecommunications Regulatory Act after 28 years
• Starlink will be offered a service provider’s licence under the new Act

By Kelum Bandara 
Elon Musk is likely to arrive in Sri Lanka next month to launch his Starlink satellite-based internet service, an official said yesterday. The government, earlier, gave Starlink, the satellite unit of SpaceX, preliminary approval to provide internet services there. Afterwards, the government fast-tracked the process by even amending the Telecommunications Regulatory Act after 28 years.  
Asked for a comment on the latest situation, Director General of Sri Lanka Telecommunications Regulatory Authority Madushanka Dissanayake told Daily Mirror the licence template for Starlink had been drafted and under review by the technical committee of the Commission.  He said the new rules and regulations for this purpose would be set in accordance with the new Act.“We have given time till the end of July to complete the task. 

However, we are sure that we can complete the task well ahead of time,” he said. Responding to a query about the timeline for Musk’s arrival, he said the visit would take place in August. After the launch, he said it would take another three more weeks to operationalise the service.
“They need such a long time to lay the infrastructure for operation by installing equipment and all,” he said. 
Starlink will be offered a service provider’s licence under the new Act. Elaborating on advantages for Sri Lanka, the Director General said Sri Lanka can overcome geographical barriers in providing connectivity. “Telco operators have to invest a lot in putting up towers. There are many approvals to be obtained. Technically, the whole island including the territorial waters can be covered through Starlink. However, Starlink is not more affordable than others. Still, the connectivity will benefit industries, research, maritime services etc,” he said.