Satellite Internet

It’s Time to Change the US’ Cuba-Internet Strategy

In a post last week, I advised Cuban President Díaz-Canel that investment in fixed broadband Internet would benefit both the Cuban people and his regime. This week, I've got advice for US President Biden -- don't try to out-pander the Republicans and call President Díaz-Canel's bluff by offering support for fixed broadband. What won't work... more

Iran’s Digital Arsenal: When Invisible Fences Rise in the Conflict

Iran's near-total internet blackout during airstrikes reveals how cyberattacks, sanctions and platform power can isolate a nation. The conflict shows digital infrastructure, satellites and cloud services becoming decisive weapons in modern geopolitical competition worldwide today. more

Starlink’s Role in Last Year’s Los Angeles Fires

During California's devastating 2025 wildfires, Starlink, Tesla, and T-Mobile offered vital emergency connectivity. Their improvised response reveals both the promise of satellite-based disaster aid and the need for formalised coordination with public agencies. more

Iranians Outsmart Internet Blackout to Broadcast Airstrikes

After US and Israeli strikes, Iran imposed a near-total internet blackout, yet citizens used satellite links and decentralized tools to share footage, undermining state control and exposing a growing contest over information in wartime. more

The Geopolitical Protocol: Can QUIC and LEO Satellites Mitigate the Risks of Fragile Subsea Cables?

As geopolitical tensions expose the fragility of subsea cables, Low Earth Orbit satellites and the QUIC protocol promise a more resilient internet by diversifying routes, preserving session continuity, and redefining control over global data flows. more

Starlink Flexing Its Market Power

Starlink is leveraging its growing dominance with data-hungry AI ambitions, regulatory demands, and space infrastructure plans. A merger with xAI could solidify its position as an unregulated gatekeeper of orbital connectivity and intelligence. more

How Many Internet-Service Satellites Will Be in Orbit at the End of China’s Five-Year Plan?

China's latest five-year plan accelerates its push into low Earth orbit, with competing constellations projected to field tens of thousands of satellites by 2030, narrowing the gap with Starlink while raising concerns over congestion. more

Iran’s Record Internet Blackout Deepens Civilian Isolation, Fuels Humanitarian Concerns

Iran’s unprecedented internet blackout, imposed after February’s strikes, has reduced connectivity to near zero, tightened state control over information, and set a global precedent for wartime digital isolation with significant humanitarian consequences. more

Filling the Sky with Satellites

Low Earth orbit is crowding as Starlink, Amazon, China and others race to deploy thousands of satellites, promising faster broadband while intensifying global competition, orbital congestion concerns and a push for direct-to-device connectivity. more

The Kinetic Frontier: Lessons From Geopolitical Violence and the Bunkerization of AI Infrastructure

Kinetic attacks on Gulf data centres expose the cloud's physical fragility, recasting AI infrastructure as strategic targets and accelerating bunkerisation, while outdated data laws leave firms choosing between legal compliance and digital survival. more