Starlink to be available in Cyprus later this year

SpaceX’s Starlink is ‘coming soon’ to Cyprus with works starting in Q3 of 2023, meaning the public will have even greater market choice in how it accesses the internet.

Cyprus is currently one of the final parts of the EU without Starlink but that is soon set to change, with the company listing the Republic as being among the next territories to gain access.

But the north does not appear to be included in any upcoming plans to gain access to Starlink. It lists the service in Turkey as starting in 2024. It is already available in Greece.

Starlink’s services are described on the website as offering “broadband internet capable of supporting streaming, online gaming, video calls and more. Leveraging advanced satellites and user hardware coupled with our deep experience with both spacecraft and on-orbit operations, Starlink delivers high-speed, low-latency internet to users all over the world”.

The service is made possible via the world’s largest constellation of highly advanced satellites operating in low orbit around the Earth.

Initial reaction on social media varied, with some hailing the move as great progress which will offer many rural communities better access to the internet.

Others questioned how great the impact will really be as they noted that Cyprus has made great strides in upgrading the internet on offer, pointing to the wider rollout of fiber over the past couple of years.

Starlink orders now cost $599 upfront for its starter kit, with a monthly service charge of $110 to receive internet service, according to technology news website The Verge.

Starlink states on its website that it is targeting service in Cyprus in Q3 2023 but availability is subject to regulatory approval and that within each coverage area orders are fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis.