Friday, May 16, 2025
Saudi Arabia allows SpaceX's Starlink for aviation and maritime shipping, increasing connectivity
As part of its initiatives to improve digital infrastructure and increase internet access, Saudi Arabia has authorized the utilization of Starlink, SpaceX's satellite internet service, for aviation and maritime shipping. Most Viewed: Why Saudi Arabia is using Lavender carpet for official receptions
Among those in attendance at the May 13 Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh were Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX; Sam Altman of OpenAI; and Andy Jassy of Amazon.
The aviation and maritime sectors in remote areas will now have access to reliable connectivity through Starlink, a network that provides broadband coverage using low-Earth orbit satellites.
Other countries in the region, including Qatar, Bahrain, and Jordan, have already adopted Starlink's services, despite not officially announcing residential use. For instance, it is now standard equipment on all Boeing 777s operated by Qatar Airways.
The decision by Saudi Arabia was lauded by Musk, who highlighted the service's ability to revolutionize several industries. He went on to talk about his plans for autonomous cars, humanoid robots, and the economic impact of artificial intelligence. Recommend: Eid Al-Adha in Saudi Arabia is likely to be on
Musk brought Tesla robots to meet with Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman; one of the robots even did Trump's famous dance.
Musk was excited about the prospect of self-driving cars in Saudi Arabia and made the bold prediction that the world economy could expand tenfold with extensive robot integration. Furthermore, the goal of Musk's artificial intelligence startup xAI is to create a truth-seeking, general-purpose AI.
The decision comes after Saudi Arabia solidified its status as a technology innovation leader by obtaining US$600 billion in investments during President Trump's visit. Read: Saudi Arabia mandates paid Hajj leave for pilgrims
Saudi Arabia allows SpaceX's Starlink for aviation and maritime shipping
