Elon Musk owned aerospace company SpaceX’s Starlink is a broadband Internet provider with a high-speed and low-latency rate. Starlink has planned to enhance its implication in Malaysia. It would allow the country to boost its Internet infiltration rate in most of the rural regions.
Muhammad Azmin Ali (a senior minister of International Trade and Industry, Dato Seri) issued a statement. He said the Malaysian Government is still considering several matters on the proposals of Starlink to present satellite Internet service. Ali said the government has until now interrogated Starlink’s submitted some of the proposals.
Starlink Representatives will arrive Next Week
Ali was speaking to Bernama and TV3 reporters after a meeting at the SpaceX headquarters with Starlink and SpaceX representatives. He said Starlink’s representatives will arrive in Malaysia next week to examine these proposals. The proposals are expected to finalize very soon after their arrival in Malaysia. The proposed technologies would provide more benefits to the economy of the country.
He also said there was already a Johor-based company in Malaysia. It is currently a major company manufacturing necessary components for the Starlink satellites. The major objective of Starlink and SpaceX is to enhance this supply chain and to extend it to local companies. They obviously want significant support for a bigger supply chain with this new investment.
New Opportunities for Malaysian Companies
Ali added that it would provide a gateway for various companies in Malaysia. It would enable them to bring their involvement in space technology to the future. However, the presence of Starlink has its own importance for the Malaysian economy. Starlink is expected to facilitate its digital transformation agenda in the country.
The government of Malaysia will be able to considerably empower its economic position globally, especially in South-East Asia. Moreover, the chief executive officer of MIDA (Malaysian Investment Development Authority), Datuk Arham Abdul Rehman issued a statement. He said the negotiation process was currently in the middle with Starlink and SpaceX.
Malaysia is facilitating the Entire Negotiation Process
Bernama reported that both companies have found great potential in Malaysia. However, the Malaysian government is currently hosting and monitoring the process. The government is facilitating the entire process to realize the proposed projects of SpaceX and Starlink in the country. Azmin also had a meeting with Cue Health Inc., alongside the meeting with Starlink and SpaceX. Moreover, Cue Health is a healthcare tech company currently developing at-home use diagnostic tests.
Azmin said the company had presented a medical device dedicated to performing a domain of tests. These examinations also include tests for Covid-19 with the implementation of pioneering technology. He said they have mentioned many favorable strategies for their investment. They are expected to bring their investment after finalizing a suitable place in Malaysia in June.
Starlink offers Advanced Broadband Internet System Globally
It is noteworthy that Starlink provides the most advanced broadband internet system in the world. Satellite information travels more rapidly compared to the fiber-optic cable and can reach far more places. However, most satellite internet services are currently coming from single geostationary satellites at 35,000km.
Meanwhile, Starlink is currently a collection of various satellites much closer to Earth at just 550km and covering the entire world. The round-trip data time between the satellite and a user is known as latency. The Starlink satellites are providing low latency because their satellites are in a lower orbit than satellites in geostationary orbit. It allows Starlink to provide excellent services for online gaming.