US asks Musk's Starlink rivals to provide Ukraine with internet

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The United States wants that more companies to provide Ukraine with satellite internet, alongside Elon Musk's Starlink, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said.

Starlink itself provided Ukraine with almost 22,000 internet devices since the war started in February of last year.

"There should be many different options available. But we should also give credit to Starlink that has been a critical element [in Ukraine's defense]," Sullivan said during a CNN town hall event on Ukraine.

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced in December that over 10,000 Starlink antennas will be delivered to Kiev in the following months, as reported by Bloomberg. The report also said European Union countries will help Ukraine pay for the fees of Starlink services. 

Read more: Ukraine breaching agreement, weaponizing Starlink

Back in 2022, Starlink owner Elon Musk said he might stop providing his services to Ukraine as it has become too expensive to maintain.

Starlink is of such importance that Ukraine's train system depends on it, and so does the government, as it uses it to transmit communications, including Zelensky's broadcasts.

As such, SpaceX had requested that the US military take over funding for its Starlink satellite internet service in Ukraine, claiming it is no longer able to cover the costs of operations.

Nevertheless, Musk continued to provide Starlink services for free. 

The hell with it … even though Starlink is still losing money & other companies are getting billions of taxpayer $, we’ll just keep funding Ukraine govt for free

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 15, 2022

Read next: Musk now says will continue funding Starlink in Ukraine