Elon Musk said SpaceX now accounts for nearly 80 percent of all active satellites in orbit and will likely handle around 90 percent of mass launches this year, giving the company an outsized role in shaping global connectivity. (Image credit: X)
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Moneycontrol25-01-2026, 15:14

Elon Musk: Internet Connectivity is Key to Eradicating Poverty, Not Traditional Aid

  • Elon Musk argues that universal internet access, particularly through Starlink, is the most powerful tool to lift people out of poverty, enabling education, opportunity, and economic mobility.
  • Musk highlights that affordable, high-bandwidth internet allows individuals to learn for free and sell goods/services globally, transforming economies.
  • SpaceX's Starlink network, with over 9,300 operational satellites, provides global broadband coverage, especially in underserved regions, and accounts for nearly 80% of active satellites in orbit.
  • Musk's perspective aligns with the World Bank's findings that broadband internet access significantly contributes to economic growth, job creation, and youth employment.
  • Social media users are divided; while many agree on the internet's potential, concerns are raised about Starlink's high cost, making it inaccessible for the poor.

Why It Matters: Elon Musk champions universal internet access as the primary solution for global poverty, emphasizing Starlink's role.

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