SpaceX Launches Starlink in Martinique and Guadeloupe; Obtains License in Qatar

SpaceX on Thursday announced that the company’s satellite broadband service, Starlink, is now available in Martinique and Guadeloupe.

Starlink is a high-speed internet service powered by a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit. SpaceX has designed Starlink around delivering fast, reliable internet connections to anywhere on the planet, even the most remote regions. The service has already achieved full Earth coverage — in fact, it is even available in the Amazon Rainforest as of last month.

SpaceX this week also signed an official agreement with Qatar’s Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) to provide satellite internet services in the Gulf country (via Doha News).

The agreement, signed on Wednesday, grants SpaceX permission to provide direct-to-consumer Starlink services and “Starlink Premium” for businesses. Launching Starlink in Qatar will both improve the state of connectivity in the country and also bring in more foreign investment as Qatar strives to achieve its “National Vision 2030.”

As of May, Starlink was available in 32 countries across the globe. The service has since expanded to even more.

SpaceX has also repositioned Starlink satellites and donated Starlink terminals to Florida in order to aid rescue and relief efforts in areas affected by Hurricane Ian.