The National News Agency reported that the Lebanese Cabinet has granted a license to Starlink, the satellite internet company led by American billionaire Elon Musk, to provide internet distribution services in Lebanon.

Tony Saad, spokesperson for Telecommunications Minister Charles Hage, stated that Starlink established a company in Lebanon and received the license after approximately six months of negotiations with the government.

He added that access to the service will be limited to businesses, with subscription packages starting at $100 per month.

Until now, internet services in Lebanon have been operated exclusively by state-owned providers and their affiliates, who had lobbied the government not to grant a license to Starlink.

Lebanon ranks among the countries with the slowest internet speeds.

According to the National News Agency, “The Cabinet approved the license for Starlink Lebanon to provide internet distribution services across all Lebanese territory via satellites operated by SpaceX.”

A statement from the Lebanese presidency noted that Musk expressed interest in Lebanon’s telecommunications and internet sectors during a phone call with President Joseph Aoun in June.