Starlink Will Be Live in Lebanon by Mid-May, Here Is How to Apply

After years of delays, legal battles, and political maneuvering, Starlink is confirmed to officially launch in Lebanon in mid-May 2026. The satellite internet service, operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX , will initially be available only to businesses. The launch follows a regulatory process that stretched over more than a year. Lebanon's Cabinet first approved the Starlink license in September 2025. The formal decree was signed on October 8, 2025, granting the company a two-year, non-exclusive license to operate across Lebanese territory. Preorders have been open for months, and now the service is moving from paper to production. What the Deal Looks Like Under the terms of the decree, Starlink will pay the Ministry of Telecommunications a fixed annual fee of $25,000, prepaid for two years. On top of that, the company owes 25% of its gross subscriber revenue to the state, settled quarterly. That revenue-sharing rate is far above the global average of roughly 5%, reflecting both the government's leverage and its interest in generating telecom income. The license does not grant Starlink any exclusive rights. Other satellite providers, including French operator Eutelsat , remain in talks with Lebanese authorities for similar authorizations. Starlink is also barred from establishing international gateways, providing wholesale connectivity, or offering infrastructure-as-a-service products without a separate license. Business-Only at Launch For now, the service is restricted to commercial and business entities. Residential access is not part of the initial rollout. Subscriptions are reported to start at $100 per month, with speeds expected to reach up to 280 Mbps, comparable to fiber-optic connections in more developed markets. The business-only restriction is intentional. It protects the local ISP market while giving Lebanese companies a reliable backup connection, one that works independently of the country's aging terrestrial infrastructure. Starlink's 10-gigabit capacity