Microsoft is deploying Starlink for those in need in remote areas

Microsoft and Starlink – a New Step in Global Digital Accessibility

Microsoft has partnered with satellite communications operator SpaceX Starlink to expand internet service coverage in remote and rural areas of the world. Integrating low‑Earth orbit satellites into terrestrial broadband networks enables communities that have remained without reliable connectivity to be connected.

Project Goal
Microsoft aims to bring more people into the digital economy and make them participants in the global artificial intelligence system. Satellite internet is combined with local partnership programs, digital skills training, and access to cloud AI services.

* Kenya – With Starlink’s support and local provider Mawingu Networks, the company plans to connect 450 community centers in underserved regions. These are farmer cooperatives, aggregation centers, and network technology access points. Thanks to satellite broadband, residents will be able to develop AI‑driven skills and tools to support agriculture and market access.

Microsoft emphasizes the importance of financially sustainable models that operate at the local community level and align with national development priorities.

Achievements
* Through Microsoft’s efforts, more than 299 million people have gained internet access worldwide.

* By the end of 2025, the company has already exceeded its plan of 250 million connections.

Next Phase
In the next phase, Microsoft shifts focus from expanding coverage to implementing new solutions and long‑term participation in the AI economy, especially in regions with weak infrastructure. The partnership with Starlink demonstrates a move toward hybrid connectivity models: a combination of terrestrial fiber networks, fixed wireless access, and low‑Earth orbit satellites.

AI development across different parts of the world remains uneven. Therefore large cloud providers and satellite operators see internet connectivity as fundamental infrastructure for digital sovereignty and economic growth, where AI plays a key role.