Whether it's the deserts of the Sahara or the depths of the Amazon rainforest, the vast expanses of the Pacific Ocean or the glaciers of the Arctic - in many parts of the world, modern man has a big problem. He lacks access to the internet.
American tech billionaire Elon Musk initially launched the development of Starlink precisely to solve this problem: to provide fast internet worldwide in regions where it is not possible to achieve this in the usual way, via cables or optical fibers - or where such infrastructure would be so expensive that it simply would not be worth it.
Meanwhile, the scope of Starlink's application has expanded significantly. It is used for communication in disaster-stricken areas, but also by armies or protest movements - for example, in regions where the classic Internet has been destroyed by enemy attacks or turned off by dictatorial regimes.
How does Starlink work?
Essentially, it's a satellite internet system in which almost 10,000 small satellites circle the Earth. They exchange data with each other via laser links and don't depend on constant direct visibility with the ground station that connects the satellite system to the classic internet.
Unlike other internet satellites, which are located at an altitude of about 36,000 kilometers, Starlink satellites are only about 550 kilometers above the Earth's surface. Thanks to this, internet signals are transmitted much faster, and the delays are so small that applications that require higher data speeds are also possible.
Users only need a small receiving terminal with an electronically controlled antenna, which is automatically directed towards the currently available satellites.
Where is Starlink used?
Sudan: In the Sudanese civil war, Starlink is used primarily by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary formation fighting the regular army. Hundreds of devices have been smuggled into the country via the United Arab Emirates, and a veritable informal market chain for Starlink terminals has developed. The RSF uses them for communication and coordination of its militias, while the state armed forces (SAF) are trying to prevent their import and use.
Iran: In early 2026, massive protests erupted in Tehran against the regime, which responded by, among other things, shutting down the internet. However, thousands of terminals were reportedly smuggled into the country and sold on the black market at high prices. Thanks to this, the protest movement was able to use Starlink to coordinate demonstrations despite state censorship.
Venezuela: Starlink has also been used there to break information blockades and provide free internet access. The service was long available only unofficially, through the purchase of equipment from local vendors. After the US intervention in January 2026, during which former President Nicolas Maduro was arrested, Elon Musk temporarily offered free internet access to Venezuelan citizens.
Gaza: Since July 2024, Starlink has been used for humanitarian purposes in the heavily devastated Gaza Strip. Aid organizations and a Polish hospital use it for telemedicine and logistical coordination. Broader access for civilians remains limited, in part due to Israeli security concerns.
Ukraine: Since the start of the Russian offensive in February 2022, Starlink has become one of the main means of communication in the war zone. The military uses Starlink to coordinate units, control drones, and control unmanned ground systems. In the civilian sector, the system is used by hospitals, emergency services, energy companies, and railways.
The Russian military is also said to be using Starlink via terminals illegally smuggled into the country via third countries. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry has said it is working closely with SpaceX to limit such use as much as possible.
What criticisms are there about Starlink?
In many conflict zones, Starlink is the only source of internet connectivity. This gives Elon Musk great influence. Communications of entire military structures or humanitarian organizations sometimes depend on his company SpaceX. For example, Musk previously refused to allow Ukraine to activate the service for an attack near Crimea.
US President Donald Trump has also threatened Ukraine with shutting down the satellite link in order to force Kiev to make concessions in the negotiations.
There is also criticism from an environmental perspective. Starlink satellites are mass-produced and have a lifespan of about five years. On average, one to two satellites burn up in Earth's atmosphere per day, and the aluminum oxide released can affect the ozone layer and contribute to global warming. In addition, a large number of satellites reflect sunlight, making the night sky brighter, which can have consequences for life.
Who is working on alternatives?
To break Starlink's monopoly, alternatives are already being worked on, especially in Europe. Currently, SpaceX's largest private competitor is the company Eutelsat.
However, its OneWeb system with a fleet of just over 600 satellites is significantly smaller and focused primarily on business users and the maritime sector.
Eutelsat is also participating in the development of the IRIS² project - an ambitious and highly secure European Union satellite network that should make Europe more independent of Starlink. However, it will not be operational before 2029.
Competition is also emerging in the United States itself. Amazon, owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos, is rapidly developing its own "Amazon LEO" system - a network of more than 3,000 satellites in low-earth orbit. Amazon plans to launch the service in the US and Germany this year.
The sky will soon become even more crowded, as China is developing two of its own satellite communications systems. The state-owned "Guowang" project is intended primarily for national and military needs and is expected to include up to 13,000 satellites, while the "Qianfan" project, planned with about 12,000 satellites, is more commercially oriented and targets developing country markets. The first mass launches for both projects are expected this year./DW Shqip
