ELON MUSK sent a post to X yesterday that says: "This post was made from a normal mobile phone straight to a SpaceX satellite, with no special equipment in between!" The historic post dated 6:33 AM Feb 26, 2024 has 25.4M views as at 21:28 GMT Tue Feb 27, 2024.
This post was made from a normal mobile phone straight to a SpaceX satellite, with no special equipment in between! https://t.co/rjry9vr5zj
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 26, 2024
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Note, SpaceX sent a post to X yesterday (33 minutes earlier than Mr Musk's) saying: "This post was sent through a SpaceX Direct to Cell satellite in space." The historic post dated 6:00 AM GMT Feb 26, 2024 has 27.3M views as at 21:29 GMT Tue Feb 27, 2024.
This post was sent through a SpaceX Direct to Cell satellite in space 🛰️
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) February 26, 2024
POSTSCRIPT from Sudan Watch Editor
Warmest congrats to all involved. Now people in Sudan need to know how they can get the exciting new service on their existing mobile phones, how much it costs, and how and where, and to whom, to pay.
Right now, in some areas of Sudan civilians are charged extortionate prices to make calls using a Starlink device set up by rebels at illegal checkpoints.
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Further Reading
IMAGE and caption by RichQuack@RichQuack 6:04 AM · Feb 26, 2024:
See original (92.8K Views so far): https://twitter.com/RichQuack/status/1761995521692987792
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Copy of a post at X by El-Mahdi @arelmahdi 8:13 PM · Feb 27, 2024:
“I just spoke to someone on WhatsApp who's in an RSF controlled area and she tells me they can access the internet at some of the RSF checkpoints which have a Starlink connection and get access for 1 hour for a fee of 5000 SDG (approx. 4USD).
So apparently, Starlink is becoming a source of supplementary income (besides looting and salary) for soldiers at RSF checkpoints. Doubt they'll want to see the telecoms networks back up and running in areas under their control.”
See original: https://twitter.com/arelmahdi/status/1762571749596504390
H/t Cameron Hudson @_hudsonc Feb 8 2024:
“Network blackout cuts communications for millions in war-torn Sudan. Of course, RSF are getting around internet cutoffs by using Starlink, procured in Chad and Libya. Im detecting a pattern…”
See original: https://twitter.com/arelmahdi/status/1762571749596504390
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Copy of a post at X by Sadeia @sadiea8 2:51 PM · Feb 27, 2024:
“The local authorities in El Geneina - West Darfur impose fees on satellite internet devices (Starlink) of 150,000 pounds on everyone who owns a device and uses it for commercial purposes, in addition to service fees of 50,000 pounds annually.
Anyone who violates the provisions of this decision will be subject to a fine of 500,000 pounds, or one month in prison, or both.”
See original: https://twitter.com/sadiea8/status/1762490632654684535
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Sudan Watch - February 10, 2024
URGENT MESSAGE to Sir Tim Berners-Lee: The internet belongs to everyone including the Sudanese
People in Sudan are suffering after decades of war. Now their internet has been shut for several days. It was hard enough for them to keep going during bombings while managing patchy electricity.
In most parts of Sudan, banks, shops, businesses, churches and infrastructure have been destroyed. The Sudanese depend on the internet to receive money for food, medicine, electricity, calls for news and help.
Full story: https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2024/02/urgent-message-to-sir-tim-berners-lee.html
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Sudan Watch - November 20, 2023
SpaceX is advertising a position for growth manager of its Starlink Internet service in Sub-Saharan Africa
SpaceX is advertising a job vacancy for a manager to boost Starlink growth in Africa. The role will be based in Nairobi, Kenya, from where the growth manager will report to a team at Starlink’s Hawthorne, California headquarters.
Full story: https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2023/11/spacex-is-advertising-position-for.html
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