Thanks to Starlink Argentina has now more than 2 million additional Internet users

Good news!

"In Argentina, where such a [government Internet] ban was recently lifted, two million people have connected to Starlink, many of whom live in remote areas of the country."

"“When Javier Milei became president of Argentina in December 2023, one his first measures as part of a package of wide-ranging deregulations was to open up the economy to satellite internet. ..."

Doomslayer: Progress Roundup

Starlink Connects Millions of People in Argentina

Argentina Graph of the Day: Starlink Connects Millions of People

The Trump administration covertly sent roughly 6,000 Starlink terminals into Iran after the regime’s crackdown on demonstrations last month

Bravo President Trump and Elon Musk! Good news! A force for good!

Will the Iranian people finally get rid of this theocratic dictatorship ruling this country since 1979! Mullahs be gone!

"The satellite-internet kits were an effort to keep dissidents online after Tehran stifled internet access. This was the first time the U.S. has directly sent Starlink into Iran. The State Department purchased nearly 7,000 Starlink terminals by diverting funds from other internet-freedom initiatives. Tehran has repeatedly accused the U.S., without evidence, of helping to foment popular dissent and organizing the demonstrations. Iranians were protesting economic mismanagement, a weakening currency and hard-line rule."

The Wall Street Journal What's news

The Liberty Bell of our time! "Proclaim LIBERTY Throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants Thereof"

SpaceX Stops Russia’s Unauthorised Use of Starlink in Ukraine

Absolutely stunning how one man can have so much influence on the outcome of a current war!

Russian Drones Using Starlink? Ukraine Raises Satellite War Tech Alarm with Palki Sharma

How difficult is it to keep Starlink out the hands of the Russian military?

Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin to Launch Satellite Network to Rival Elon Musk's Starlink with Palki Sharma

Good news! Competition is good, more competition is better!

Elon Musk makes Starlink available to Iranian protesters for free

Good news! Bravo!

"Despite a communications blackout, Iranian dissidents were able to share footage of state violence online using thousands of illegal Starlink terminals. ..."

"Summary

• Iran shutdown poses test for Starlink as US military, investors look on
• Protesters used Starlink to send videos, images of violence
• SpaceX makes Starlink free for Iranians amid internet blackouts
• Iran uses jammers and fake GPS to disrupt Starlink signals

..."

"... Using thousands of Starlink satellite internet systems that they had quietly smuggled into the country, they got online and spread images of troops firing into the streets and families searching for bodies.

Their actions, described by digital rights researchers and others, forced Iran’s government to respond. The authorities deployed military-grade electronic weaponry designed to disrupt the GPS signals that Starlink equipment needs to function, a step that activists and civil society groups said was rarely taken outside battlefields …"

"... Since 2022, activists and civil society groups have worked on sneaking Starlink terminals into the country, aided by a U.S. government sanctions exemption for Starlink and American companies to offer communication tools in Iran. About 50,000 of the terminals are now in Iran, according to digital activists, in defiance of an Iranian law passed last year that bans the systems, and rules prohibiting unlicensed services. ..."

Doomslayer: Progress Roundup - by Malcolm Cochran

Inside the Fight to Keep Iran Online

Inside the Fight to Keep Iran Online (NYT) "Activists spent years preparing for a communications blackout in Iran, smuggling in Starlink satellite internet systems and making digital shutdowns harder for the authorities to enforce."

Musk's Starlink faces high-profile security test in Iran crackdown

More Russian Drones Spotted with attached Starlink terminals to extend range by hundreds of kilometers

Can Elon Musk stop the abuse of Starlink by Putin the Terrible?

"Russia is reportedly equipping more drones with Starlink satellite terminals to extend their range.

Russia’s use of Starlinks – owned by US firm SpaceX – has long been a source of concern. Space X has denied operating in Russia and enforces geolocation restrictions blocking access there. ...

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) [located in Washington, DC], in its Jan. 13 update, noted that reports of Molniya drones equipped with Starlink began surfacing in December 2025, saying the combination extended the drones’ range from 50 kilometers (31 miles) to over 230 kilometers (143 miles). ..."

More Russian Drones Spotted with Starlink "After initial reports of Starlink satellite terminals being mounted on Russia’s Molniya drones to extend their range, additional drone models have also been spotted with the devices."

Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, January 13, 2026

Elon Musk activates Starlink in Iran as government cuts internet off

Good news! Bravo! The first videos coming out of Iran via Starlink showing protests! Elon Musk used Farsi to respond to the Supreme Leader of Iran telling him he is wishful thinking!

According to Google search: "Yes, Elon Musk used Farsi (Persian) on X (formerly Twitter) in early January 2026, posting the phrase "زهی خیال باطل" ("Zahi khayal-e batal") in response to Iran's Supreme Leader, meaning "What an illusion!" or "In your dreams," which quickly became a viral slogan used by Iranian protestors against the regime."

Starlink expanded to 35 additional countries in 2025 and added 4.6 million subscribers

Good news! Will Elon Musk provide Starlink services to the protesters in Iran?

More than 155 countries are covered now.

"“One-third of humanity remains offline. Many more only have basic connectivity, which is often slow, intermittent, and unaffordable. ...""

Doomslayer: Progress Roundup - by Malcolm Cochran

Starlink’s Rapid Progress Connecting the World

Starlink: 2025 Progress Report

Will Elon Musk make Starlink available to the protesting citizens of Iran?

According to Google search: "Yes, recent reports from early January 2026 indicate Elon Musk has enabled Starlink for Iranians, bypassing government jamming during internet blackouts to support anti-government protests, a move reportedly influenced by Israeli officials and providing free, uncensored access despite Iranian warnings against it."

Bravo! Two thumbs up!

Russian Troops Strap Starlink Terminals to Horses as Russian Cavalry Makes ‘Historic’ Return in the Ukraine

What! Headline of the day! Elon Musk what say you? 😊

How desperate is Putin the Terrible! Does using Starlink prevent signal jamming or what is the purpose?

Russian Troops Strap Starlink Terminals to Horses as Russian Cavalry Makes ‘Historic’ Return "Videos circulating online appear to show Russian forces mounting Starlink satellite terminals on horses, as Moscow increasingly turns to animals for logistics and battlefield connectivity in Ukraine."

Chart of the day

In many developing countries, Starlink provides much faster and more reliable internet connection than local providers. In at least five African countries—Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Cape Verde—it is also cheaper than the leading provider.

Source

Starlink's global availability map

Impressive! The only terra incognitas are Afghanistan, Putin the Terrible's Russia, and China!

Credits: Human Progress weekly newsletter

 

Elon Musk activates Starlink over Iran after regime imposes nationwide internet restrictions

Good news! Bravo! Will Elon Musk go down in history as a revolutionary who helped topple the theocracy/dictatorship of Iran in power since 1979? Go do it Elon Musk!

Elon Musk's Starlink Gets India License to Start Services, Official Says

That is a big market! Just imagine 100 million or more Indians get daily and convenient Internet access for the first time.

"... Earlier in March, Indian telecom giant Bharti Airtel announced a deal with Elon Musk's SpaceX to bring the ... Starlink satellite internet service to India. ..."

Elon Musk's Starlink Gets India License to Start Services, Official Says - Bloomberg (behind paywall)

Elon Musk's Starlink gets govt nod to launch satellite internet in India: Report "Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, has been waiting since 2022 for licences to operate commercially in India."

Credits: Techcrunch newsletter

Starlink's launch in India now a matter of when, not if after new government approval

Good news!

"India has given Elon Musk's Starlink the green light to start on its next step toward bringing satellite internet service to the country. Now Starlink needs to start submitting documentation that shows it complies with the necessary licensing requirements."

"Elon Musk’s Starlink has received anticipated state approval in India, opening the door to enter the world’s second-biggest internet market after China — over three years after SpaceX’s previous attempt to launch its satellite-based broadband in the country eventually failed.

On Wednesday, India’s Department of Telecommunications gave its nod to Starlink to start working toward its compliance in the South Asian nation ..."

Starlink's launch in India now a matter of when, not if | TechCrunch

Ontario province ends $68 million contract with Elon Musk's Starlink over US tariffs. Really!

So laughable! Elon Musk is a billionaire, he can shrug this off! This cancellation is probably more damaging to Ontario than to Starlink business of Elon Musk.

Sometimes, it does not hurt to have a billionaire as part of the US federal government! 😊

"The leader of Ontario - Canada's most populous province [1t million population] - has said that American companies will be banned from provincial government contracts until the US ends the tariffs President Donald Trump imposed on Canada.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford also emphasised that his government would be "ripping up" its C$100m ($68m; £55.1) contract with Elon Musk's satellite internet company Starlink. ..."

Ontario ends contract with Elon Musk's Starlink over US tariffs

Credits: Ontario cancels, then restores, $68 million Starlink contract after protesting US tariffs

China Simulates 'Hunting' Elon Musk's Starlink Satellites

Recommendable! Does not seem to be a serious threat! All computer simulations!

Starlink's first direct-to-phone satellite network is now in orbit

Good news! 

"SpaceX has launched 20 of its Starlink satellites up into Earth's orbit, enabling direct-to-cellphone connectivity for subscribers anywhere on the planet. That completes the constellation's first orbital shell, following a launch of an initial batch of six satellites for testing back in January. ...

Indeed, you'll currently get only text service through the end of 2024; voice and data will become available sometime next year, as will support for IoT devices (such as smart home gadgets). ..."

Starlink's first direct-to-phone satellite network is now in orbit

Starlink's first orbital shell of direct-to-cell satellites will enable texting in 2024, and voice and data next year

Starlink Roll-Out Across Africa Could help Transform if not revolutionize Digital Health Services

Good news!

"“The roll-out across Africa of Elon Musk’s Starlink internet service could help speed the adoption of telehealth services on the continent.

The tech tycoon’s satellite internet offering has been launched in 15 African nations since the start of 2023, bringing reliable high-speed internet to previously unconnected remote areas.

Its arrival has also led some local providers to respond with a price war, cutting costs for users to compete with the satellite arm of Mr Musk’s SpaceX venture.

Starlink could now help boost online telehealth services which give patients consultations and treatment remotely online, Reuters reported.”"

"... Tawanda Njerere, co-founder and chief operations officer of the ZimSmart Villages [in Zimbabwe] initiative, said he was now using Starlink to connect patients to its BatsiHealth online health platform. ... “Our doctors can conduct video consultations with near in-person clarity, seeing fine visual details essential for accurate diagnoses.” ...

Starlink’s website says its connections are sold out in many major African cities, including Nairobi, Abuja, Accra, Lusaka and Harare. ..."

"... A sharp rise in the availability of internet and cheap Asian smartphones has also given a new mass-market platform.

The World Bank estimates more than 160 million Africans gained broadband internet access between 2019 and 2022. The number of internet users in Sub-Saharan Africa more than doubled from 2016 to 2021. Between 2014 and 2021, nearly 200m started making or receiving digital payments. ..."

Starlink Roll-Out Across Africa Could Transform Digital Health Services - Human Progress

Starlink roll-out across Africa could transform digital health services "Elon Musk’s satellite internet offering is now in 15 African nations, bringing reliable connectivity to previously offline remote areas"

The tech startup boom promising to revolutionise healthcare in Africa "Huge gaps and great funding shortages plague the continent’s health systems – but digital innovation could bring much-needed solutions"