Post by : Shakul

Kyrgyzstan has officially launched a pilot project for satellite internet connectivity by connecting a remote mountain school to the Starlink network. The project was inaugurated by Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliev through a video conference from Bishkek on May 25, 2026. The move marks a major step in improving digital access and educational opportunities in isolated regions of the country.

The comprehensive school in the high-altitude village of Enilchek in the Issyk-Kul region became the first social institution in Kyrgyzstan to receive high-speed internet through the Starlink satellite system. Due to the village’s difficult mountainous geography and lack of terrestrial communication infrastructure, the school had remained disconnected from stable internet services for years.

During the launch event, Adylbek Kasymaliev congratulated teachers and students and described the project as an important achievement for equal access to education. He said the government considers digital education and internet accessibility a top national priority, especially for children living in remote mountain communities across Kyrgyzstan.

As part of the initiative, the government also donated five modern computers to the school to support classroom learning and digital training. Kasymaliev instructed the Ministry of Education to quickly integrate the Enilchek school into national educational information systems and provide access to digital learning materials, online databases, and electronic education services.

Officials stated that only six schools in the entire country currently remain without internet access. The government plans to connect these schools in the near future as part of its wider digital transformation strategy. Authorities believe satellite internet technology can solve long-standing communication challenges in remote mountainous areas where traditional infrastructure is difficult to build.

Kyrgyzstan officially appeared on the Starlink global coverage map on May 23, 2026, after completing technical and legal preparations for the project. Local telecom partner ElKat LLC helped establish the infrastructure required to meet international standards and support the satellite internet system within the country.

The pilot project is being implemented under a presidential decree issued in October 2025 regarding the use of non-geostationary satellite systems. While SpaceX currently fulfills the technical requirements for the program, the Kyrgyz government stated that the initiative remains open to other international technology companies that meet the country’s safety and quality standards.

The launch of Starlink internet in Enilchek is being viewed as a significant milestone for Kyrgyzstan’s digital future. Officials hope the project will improve education, communication, and economic opportunities for people living in some of the country’s most isolated regions.

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