Starlink in Lebanon: Technological Breakthrough or Legal Breach Threatening Digital Sovereignty?

After more than a year of back-and-forth, the Lebanese government and Telecommunications Minister Charbel Hajj approved a deal to bring SpaceX’s Starlink service into Lebanon. The decision was reached through a direct agreement with the company, bypassing the legal mechanisms required under telecommunications law. Critics have called it a “leap over the law”—particularly as it coincided with the announcement of a newly formed telecommunications regulatory authority, the very body meant to oversee such licensing.

Three Main Points of Contention

Opponents of the deal have centered their objections on three issues:

- Legal bypass: Under Law 431/2002, no license may be granted without passing through the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority.

- Digital sovereignty: Partnering with a foreign company for satellite internet raises fears that citizens’ data could be routed outside Lebanon.

- Exclusive partnership: Signing a sole-source agreement with Starlink, without opening the field to other global providers, risks creating a monopoly.

Parliamentarians Weigh In

MP Yassine Yassine, a member of the parliamentary Telecommunications Committee, warned against undermining Lebanon’s digital sovereignty. He emphasized that international internet access—whether via undersea cables or satellites—falls under the exclusive authority of the Lebanese state, as per Legislative Decree 126/1959 and Regulatory Decree 9288/1996.

“Any direct procurement of bandwidth outside these channels is a clear legal violation unless specifically authorized by law,” Yassine said. “Nor can frequencies be allocated or used without a license from the regulatory authority.”

He called for clear conditions to govern Starlink’s entry, including:

- Establishing a local company in which the state owns at least 40%.

- Ensuring the state receives a share of annual revenues.

- Employing at least 70% Lebanese staff within five years.

- Covering remote areas and linking them to the national network.

- Preventing monopolies and safeguarding competition.

The committee’s chair, MP Ibrahim Mousawi, added that both the security and economic dimensions must be considered, stressing the need to avoid security breaches and ensure the state receives tangible revenues.

Pushback from Local Internet Providers

Opposition is not limited to parliament. Private internet service providers (ISPs) see Starlink as an existential threat. Seven firms—including Inconet, Terranet, and Broadband—signed a letter urging a gradual, regulated rollout. They warned of potential losses of up to 25% of their customers and a 27% drop in revenues, which would also cut into state income from the sector.

High Costs Limit Access

Despite being promoted as a solution to Lebanon’s internet woes, Starlink’s pricing may put it out of reach for most citizens:

- Equipment costs range between $350 and $500 upfront.

- Residential subscriptions cost $42–$56 per month.

- For businesses: $111 per month for 500 GB.

In practice, this makes the service more viable for companies and institutions than for ordinary households or remote areas—contradicting official claims that it would bridge the digital divide.

Digital Sovereignty and Transparency in Question

Concerns extend beyond cost. Telecom experts warn that user data will be transmitted via foreign satellites and ground stations owned by Starlink’s parent company, raising questions over where the data is stored and who has access to it.

Adding to the unease is a lack of transparency. No details have been shared about the duration of the license, the state’s revenue share, or the scope of Starlink’s investments in Lebanon.

Conflict of Interest Allegations

The controversy deepened with accusations of conflict of interest. Minister Charbel Hajj reportedly owns—or previously owned—shares in two Lebanese ISPs, Waves and Connect, both of which market Starlink services and notably did not sign the protest letter submitted by other providers.

The Bottom Line

The Starlink debate in Lebanon epitomizes the country’s governance crisis:

Decisions rushed outside the legal framework.

Risks to digital sovereignty and national security.

Economic threats to local telecom firms and state revenues.

High costs limit access for ordinary citizens.

In a sector as vital as telecommunications, “kicking the can down the road” is not a policy. What Lebanon needs is transparent regulation—one that balances the benefits of cutting-edge technology like Starlink with the imperative to protect national interests, preserve competition, and ensure the public good.