Russia Proposes “BRICS Starlink” To Friendly Countries

Russia has stated that countries that maintain friendly relations with Moscow are interested in using Russia’s low-orbit satellite constellation to have Internet access as an alternative to Elon Musk’s Starlink network, according to Russia’s Digital Development Minister, Maksut Shadayev.

Russia’s OJSC Bureau 1440 is currently building a low-orbit satellite constellation, involving 292 spacecraft to provide broadband Internet access. These should be in orbit by 2027 and be able to provide fast and cheap Internet access throughout Russia in addition to providing global coverage.

Shadayev said that “The availability of services is determined by local regulations. For instance, as you know, Starlink is not available in our country. Therefore, we’re conducting major consultations with friendly countries, and all of them are very much interested in having our constellation at least as an alternative to Starlink. We think it will have great export potential.”

The construction of such a satellite system in Russia solves the problem of providing fast and cheap internet connection all over Russia – and parts of the country are very remote having 11 time zones – and would also make internet connectivity available on board moving objects, such as trains, aircraft, and so on.