Elon Musk’s SpaceX is expected to start providing high-speed satellite internet services to Lithuanian consumers in early 2022, according to the Lithuanian Transport Ministry.
In February, the Lithuanian Transport and Communications Minister Marius Skuodis met with SpaceX representatives to discuss satellite internet development in Lithuania. Following the meeting, SpaceX established a subsidiary Starlink Lithuania.
Starlink is preparing 20 satellites to fly over Lithuania, providing an internet speed of at least 100 Mbps. According to the company, Lithuania will be the easternmost country where SpaceX will launch its services.
“We aim to create opportunities for residents and businesses in Lithuania to use innovative, state-of-the-art technological solutions. We are glad that cooperation with SpaceX will soon deliver results,” Skuodis said on Thursday.
“Building terrestrial internet networks to reach even the most remote corners of the country would be very expensive. [Starlink] technology is a great alternative,” the minister added.
Lithuania aims to provide an internet speed of at least 100 Mbps to all its residents by 2025. Starlink technology would allow achieving this goal much faster, Skuodis said.
Lithuania is able to provide new generation internet, with speeds of 30 Mbs or more, to around 69 percent of households, below the EU’s 86 percent average.