Elon Musk’s satellite company is in the process of reconnecting volcanic eruption-stricken Tonga to the internet. That says an official in Fiji, where the connection is currently being worked on. The immense submarine eruption in mid-January cut the only fiber optic connection to the archipelago.
Since then, there has been limited connectivity in Tonga. According to the Fiji Attorney General, a team from Musk’s space company SpaceX is working on a so-called gateway station via the Starlink satellites.
Starlink is a division of SpaceX. The company is launching satellites into orbit to provide broadband internet in remote areas. There are currently about 2000 Starlink satellites in orbit. Musk had previously said that Starlink might be able to help.
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The eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano triggered a tsunami that devastated villages and resorts. The capital Nuku’alofa was covered in ash and the only fiber optic cable was also damaged.
Nothing is clear about the timing of SpaceX’s work. According to the attorney general, engineers would like to operate a ground station on Fuji for six months. SpaceX was not immediately available for comment, according to Reuters news agency.
Meanwhile, a cable repair vessel has been said to have been lying off the coast of Tonga’s main island for nearly a week in an attempt to repair the damaged submarine cable. Aid to the archipelago is made more difficult by the restrictions resulting from the corona pandemic.
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