SpaceX Is Working To Bring Broadband Access To Tonga’s Disaster-Struck Area
Last month, the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano left the kingdom reeling from ashfall and a tsunami, with the disaster affecting over 80% of the nation’s residents.
According to PCMag, the shockwave had severed Tonga’s broadband connection, making it even more difficult to assess the disaster zone while it was disconnected from the wider world.
Now, in order to aid the country, SpaceX is planning on bringing emergency internet connection to the region using its satellite service, Starlink.
Fiji’s Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum revealed that the technology firm would be setting up a gateway ground station on the archipelago, some 500 miles away from Tonga.
This initiative will allow the country to access broadband services to boost disaster-relief measures while its only underwater communications cable undergoes repair, which, as per Reuters, could take over a month.
While it’s not known how long it’ll take for SpaceX to set up the internet service, residents will certainly appreciate a faster connection than the temporary 2G speeds that have been set up on the main island.
Capacity Media reported that the current connection has been patchy at best, with services running at a snail’s pace. With Starlink’s satellite internet, more residents in Tonga will be able to connect with loved ones outside of the country in this time of need.
The Hunga Tonga volcano's shockwave shattered Tonga's internet connection, adding days of gut-wrenching uncertainty to disaster assessments. A @SpaceX team is now in Fiji establishing a Starlink Gateway station to reconnect Tonga to the world.
— Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum (@FijiAG) February 7, 2022
Great initiative, @elonmusk!
[via PCMag and Capacity Media, cover image via Starlink]
