Elon Musk’s Starlink seeks license to provide internet services in Guyana

Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has confirmed that Starlink, the satellite internet company owned by tech billionaire Elon Musk, is seeking a license to provide internet services in Guyana.

This marks a significant step in the country’s push towards digitalization, which Jagdeo highlighted as a critical component of President Irfaan Ali’s vision for a digital society.

On Thursday, during his weekly press conference, Jagdeo shared details of the ongoing discussions between President Ali and Elon Musk.

“I know that Starlink is seeking a license in Guyana to provide internet services. So that’s being actively considered by the Government of Guyana,” he said.

Jagdeo emphasized the importance of ensuring that companies providing such services are registered and taxed, noting that many individuals in Guyana have been importing their own Starlink dishes without paying taxes.

“Right now, a lot of people are just bringing in the dish themselves, and they’re installing these dishes, and then they don’t have to pay any taxes… it’s a bit unfair to the other companies that are providing the same service,” he explained.

Beyond internet services, Jagdeo detailed the broader scope of the digital transformation underway in Guyana.