Starlink Launches Satellite Internet Service in Israel — Excludes west bank and Gaza

Starlink, the satellite-based internet service developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, officially launched its operations in Israel this week, offering satellite connectivity across most of the country—but excluding Judea and Samaria and the Gaza Strip.

The restriction on these regions is believed to be security-related, with defense officials reportedly concerned that hostile actors could misuse the technology in sensitive territories.

Reliable Internet in Remote or Emergency Areas

Starlink operates a global constellation of over 8,000 low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, delivering internet access to remote, underserved, or emergency-stricken areas around the world. Although its download speeds—ranging from 40 to 220 Mbps—are significantly lower than local fiber-optic offerings (up to 5 Gbps), the service is praised for its coverage in locations where traditional infrastructure is unavailable.

The company markets the service as ideal for remote farms, desert operations, disaster zones, and high-tech industries that rely on IoT and remote management tools.

For now, Starlink’s service in Israel will be limited to fixed locations only, although mobile terminals are also part of the company’s broader product offering.

High Price Point, Niche Market

Starlink’s pricing in Israel is significantly above the local average for internet services.

• Private users can subscribe to a base package for NIS 230/month, offering download speeds of 45–130 Mbps and upload speeds of 10–20 Mbps.

• This does not include the equipment, which costs around NIS 1,500 for the satellite dish and modem terminal.

• Business packages range from NIS 300 to NIS 1,400/month, depending on bandwidth and usage requirements.

Despite the steep cost, Starlink is not positioning itself as a competitor to Israel’s leading ISPs. With fiber-optic infrastructure covering 90% of Israeli households, Starlink is expected to serve niche use cases rather than the mainstream consumer market.

Licensing and Local Partnerships

Starlink was granted an operating license by Israel’s Ministry of Communications last year, following prolonged regulatory negotiations. Its market launch, however, was delayed until now.

The company will distribute its products directly through its global website, but will also partner with Israeli telecommunications company HOT, which received a dedicated license to market Starlink to business clients. Reports suggest that Starlink may establish a subsidiary in Israel to handle direct sales to consumers.

Global Satellite Internet Competition Intensifies

Starlink is one of several major players competing in the rapidly expanding satellite internet market:

• Amazon’s Project Kuiper is planning to launch over 3,200 LEO satellites, with a $10 billion investment and signed service agreements in multiple countries.

• OneWeb, a European group backed by SoftBank, has already placed 650 satellites in higher orbits.

• China’s Guowang is also in the race, raising concerns among astronomers and space agencies about potential orbital congestion and interference.

Starlink’s Role in Crises and Future Connectivity

Starlink has become a critical infrastructure provider during global emergencies:

• It delivered vital connectivity in Ukraine amid Russian cyberattacks.

• Provided internet access in Morocco following a deadly earthquake.

• Musk also offered to deploy Starlink in Gaza during the Iron Swords War, though the offer was rejected.

Looking ahead, companies are racing to develop satellite-to-smartphone connectivity that would bypass traditional cellular towers entirely.
Starlink, along with competitors like AST, Globalstar, Link Global, Iridium, and others, is developing satellites that can deliver internet and voice services directly to mobile phones.