Sri Lanka’s pause on Starlink rollout underscores a deeper debate over digital sovereignty, as the government seeks to balance security concerns with the need for affordable and resilient connectivity in underserved areas. The decision highlights the importance of regulatory clarity in managing foreign digital services.
Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake raised concerns about the lack of access to Starlink’s data systems, which could pose a national security risk. Unlike local telecom providers, the initial agreement with Starlink didn’t include provisions for accessing data during security threats, though a dashboard is being developed.
EDGE Group’s KATIM and Nokia have partnered to develop secure telecommunications networks for mission-critical defense applications in the UAE. Their collaboration focuses on creating Military 5G and 5G-in-a-box solutions to ensure robust, secure, and reliable communications for national security and critical sectors.
Pakistan’s government indicated that internet disruptions might continue indefinitely due to security measures. While some opposition members raised concerns over the throttling and impact on businesses, the Minister of IT defended the measures, highlighting improvements in internet speeds and IT exports. The National Assembly also passed the National Forensic Agency bill.
