Ukraine receives financial aid for 10,000 Starlink terminals
#Ukraine #receives #financial #aid #Starlink #terminals Welcome to InNewCL, here is the new story we have for you today:
Click Me To View Restricted Videos
Image: ESA (Getty Images)
Ukraine has reportedly resolved its financial crisis to fund more than 10,000 Starlink terminals provided by SpaceX to combat the Russian invasion that has decimated the country since February.
Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov announced that several European Union countries have agreed to contribute funds for Starlink terminals, which SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said in October they could not provide indefinitely.
Starlink is a satellite project that connects thousands of small low-Earth orbiting satellites to ground receivers or terminals to transmit high-speed internet connections.
In October, information emerged that Ukraine and SpaceX, the creator of Starlink, did not reach a specific agreement that the country would pay for the Starlink terminals. Ukraine initially received more than 20,000 Starlink antennas and Musk earlier this year requested The Starlinks sent to Ukraine are funded by the US Department of Defense.
SpaceX reported that it is losing about $20 million a month, and the company said in the letter obtained by CNN, “We are unable to donate more terminals to Ukraine or fund the existing terminals indefinitely .” However, Musk appeared to change that decision and continued writing Twitter“The hell with that…even though Starlink is still losing money and other companies are getting billions in taxpayer dollars, we’re just going to keep funding the Ukrainian government for free.”
G/O Media may receive a commission
Ukraine managed to overcome the financial hurdle with the help of other EU countries, but Fedorov did not disclose which countries are participating in the funding.
“We are willing to live without electricity for a month with at least a cellular network and text messaging available,” Fedorov told Bloomberg, seemingly referring to Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. “In terms of the internet, we have a lot of Starlinks, but the key point is that we’ve received a commitment for another broadcast, which will be used to stabilize the connection in critical situations,” he said.
The new funding has eased some concerns in Ukraine, and Fedorov told the outlet, “So far, all financial issues have been resolved.” He added that there is no contract, meaning Ukraine will have additional funds until spring 2023 must procure.
Since the Russian invasion began in February, Fedorov said Ukraine has received 22,000 Starlink antennas, which have been instrumental in repelling attacks. Fedorov said the Starlink support came as a result of a direct request to Musk on Feb. 24 to quickly restore communications lost after Russian airstrikes.
“SpaceX and Musk are quick to respond to issues and help us,” Fedorov told Bloomberg. “Musk has assured us that he will continue to support Ukraine. When we had a severe power outage, I wrote to him that day and he responded shortly thereafter and already provided some steps. He understands the situation.”
