Ugandans to access Elon Musk’s Starlink internet through telecoms — UCC rules UCC clarifies Starlink’s role in Uganda, ruling out a direct consumer launch and affirming a wholesale satellite model through licensed telecom operators.

Ugandans will access Starlink-powered satellite internet only through licensed local telecommunications operators and not through a direct consumer launch, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has ruled. In a detailed clarification issued by the UCC Executive Director, Hon. Nyombi Thembo, the regulator said recent public comments attributed to him had been misunderstood, creating the impression that Starlink, in partnership with Airtel Uganda, was about to roll out direct-to-consumer services in the country. While acknowledging the excitement surrounding low-earth-orbit satellite technology, the Commission stressed that such an interpretation is inaccurate. The clarification follows the announcement of a group-level strategic agreement between Airtel…