The Salvadoran Government is taking measures to reduce the country’s digital divide by bringing Starlink’s internet service to the public education sector, according to Superintendente Manuel Aguilar. The country has become the first in the region to offer the service.
During a recent television interview, the Superintendente of Electricity and Telecommunications, Manuel Aguilar, stated that Starlink’s satellite internet service is being installed in public schools that lacked access to technology. He added that this initiative aims to close the digital divide in the country.
“We have started to connect schools that never had internet before. We plan to continue connecting more schools until all have internet. We are bringing the service where there is none, and we will have a very fast connection. This new technology will allow us to close the digital divide in the country,” he said.
Aguilar’s comments came after Starlink, Elon Musk’s high-speed satellite internet provider, announced the availability of its service in the country last Wednesday. “Under President Nayib Bukele’s government, the country stands out as a leader in the region, being the first nation to have such technology,” he said.
The head of the General Superintendence of Electricity and Telecommunications (SIGET) also stated that the institution will ensure that the service reaches the entire population. “We are the institution in charge of verifying that this type of technology is at the service of the Salvadoran population,” he said.
Aguilar emphasized that this service operates without interruption. “We have tested it in the rain, and we are talking about a stable connection with high speed,” he said.
According to Aguilar, “the package can be ordered from the website http://starlink.com or by downloading the application from a mobile device. It is delivered to the requested address within an estimated two weeks, and the installation is even simpler.”
According to official information, the service offers speeds of up to 300 Mbps, and the monthly fee will be $49, with a one-time cost of $499 for the receiver.
“The speed of this new service is up to 300 Mbps. The average of current companies in our country is around 50 megabits. We can use this service anywhere, at the beach, the lake, etc.,” the SIGET spokesperson emphasized.
Reducing the digital divide was one of the main objectives of the Salvadoran government when requesting Starlink’s services, according to Ambassador Milena Mayorga, who led previous meetings with Musk’s company’s representatives since June 15, 2022.
“Our objective is to reduce the digital divide and continue creating opportunities for our people,” the diplomat said at that time.