Introduction: A New Space Race for Broadband A revolution is underway above our heads. In the past year alone, companies and governments worldwide have turbocharged efforts to beam high-speed internet from space down to Earth. SpaceX’s Starlink constellation has surpassed 8,000 satellites launched since 2019, amassing over 5 million users across 125+ countries reuters.com. In…
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Introduction In parts of the world, authorities are literally switching off the internet on a routine basis. Over the last five years (2020–2025), countries like Syria, Iraq, and Algeria have repeatedly imposed nationwide internet shutdowns – often timed with school exam periods – plunging millions into digital darkness for hours at a time. Governments claim…
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Introduction The pace of internet connectivity has accelerated to truly insane speeds, from experimental lab links transferring petabits per second to gigabit-grade services available in homes. Around the world, researchers and providers are continually breaking speed records and rolling out ultra-fast networks. This report explores the extremes of internet speed in three realms: cutting-edge laboratory…
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Drones have gone from futuristic gadgets to everyday tools – and governments worldwide are scrambling to keep up. In 2025, drone pilots face a patchwork of laws and regulations that can vary dramatically from one country (or even city) to another. Fly a drone in the wrong place without the right paperwork, and you could…
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Eritrea is notorious for its exceptionally limited internet connectivity – often likened to a “digital desert” or even called the “North Korea of Africa” in terms of information isolation. Despite being a coastal nation in the Horn of Africa, Eritrea has eschewed modern internet infrastructure and access for decades. Fewer than 1 in 4 Eritreans…
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In-flight connectivity (IFC) via satellite has shifted from a luxury novelty to an expected amenity in air travel. As airlines emerge from the pandemic, they are accelerating investments in high-speed Wi-Fi to meet passenger demand and gain competitive edge. Recent surveys show that 83% of passengers are more likely to rebook with an airline that…
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Djibouti has emerged as a critical connectivity hub at the crossroads of Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Its fiber-optic infrastructure is anchored by numerous submarine cables landing on its Red Sea coast – Djibouti hosts roughly 10–12 international undersea cables african.business techpoint.africa. These high-capacity links (e.g. SMW3, EIG, SEA-ME-WE-5/6, AAE-1, EASSy, WIOCC, Yemeni cable,…
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Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet network, has rapidly expanded coverage worldwide since its beta launch in 2020. As of mid-2025, Starlink service is available in over 110 countries and territories, with more on the way idemest.com. Below is an up-to-date regional breakdown of Starlink availability – including countries with full commercial service, those in beta or…
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Introduction Satellite phones are invaluable for staying connected in remote or disaster-stricken areas, but travelers must be aware that these devices are not welcome everywhere. In fact, several countries ban or tightly regulate satellite phones due to security and government control concerns en.wikipedia.org. Because satellite phones communicate directly via satellites and bypass local telecom networks, authorities in…
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Cameroon, a Central African nation of about 29.5 million people, is racing to improve internet connectivity for its citizens. As of early 2025, roughly 41.9% of the population uses the internet, leaving the majority still offline datareportal.com bmz-digital.global. Internet access has grown rapidly over the past decade, yet it remains unevenly distributed and faces many…
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