Amit Somani, CEO of Sama X, explains how Starlink is turning satellite connectivity into critical infrastructure for Gulf economies.
Even in a region wired with fibre and 5G, some places remain digitally invisible. Deserts, offshore platforms, and remote communities face persistent connectivity gaps that can slow growth, risk efficiency, and limit innovation. Amit Somani is rethinking what it means to be “online,” using satellite technology to make high-speed internet as ubiquitous as electricity. In the Middle East, the next phase of digital transformation may depend less on cables and towers and more on what’s orbiting above.
To start, how would you define Sama X’s role in the region’s evolving connectivity landscape?
With the arrival of Starlink’s unrivaled low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, the region’s connectivity landscape is evolving fast, with adoption by countries accelerating.
While Sama X is a global authorised reseller of Starlink, it has a regional DNA and focus, combined with a unique business model and tailored offering designed to serve the local needs of each market.
We go the extra mile to establish a local presence in the markets where we operate, ensuring regulatory approvals are in place for us to resell Starlink at a local level, where pricing is set for each country to match economic conditions. Ultimately, we complement Starlink’s direct selling model with a local, physical alternative for professional-grade satellite broadband internet connectivity.
In addition, as a greenfield start-up, Sama X is not encumbered by legacy ways of doing things. Our sole focus today is on delivering Starlink solutions to our customers the way they need it, in the best possible way.
Why is satellite internet now becoming a critical part of national infrastructure rather than just a backup solution?
Satellite internet, especially using advanced LEO systems such as Starlink, is shifting from a backup option to essential national infrastructure given countries today are increasingly reliant on ubiquitous, uninterrupted, high-speed connectivity for everything from commerce to public services. LEO networks deliver fibre-like speeds with latency (the delay in data transmission) as low as 20ms, making them suitable for primary communication needs rather than emergency-only usage.
As governments, enterprises, and key institutions digitise their operations, they need connectivity that works everywhere, even in remote, offshore, or infrastructure-poor environments. Starlink’s solution ensures stable communications for hospitals, schools, research centres, emergency response teams, critical infrastructure and industries, making resilient satellite connectivity a fundamental layer of national digital resilience.
In addition, Starlink is a perfect complement to existing terrestrial networks. In many instances, extending a 5G mobile network to serve more remote use cases is just not feasible. Fiber or microwave backhaul costs and the cost of the site itself, plus ongoing operations (e.g. power consumption, maintenance) for what is ultimately a similar, or often less capable, solution do not make sense. Starlink easily fills that gap, bringing the total cost of ownership down significantly.
Whether directly to end-users, to a community Wi-Fi solution, or to provide cellular backhaul to extend MNO reach efficiently, Starlink is the missing piece of the puzzle.
Where do you see the biggest connectivity gaps in the Middle East today, and how can they realistically be closed?
The Middle East varies greatly when it comes to connectivity gaps, based on size and maturity of their telecoms networks. While it is obvious that the most significant connectivity gaps persist in remote, offshore, and infrastructure-limited areas such as deserts, rural communities, industrial sites, and maritime environments, even in urban or semi-urban areas, connectivity issues are often faced that can easily be overcome by satellite alternatives. Fiber connectivity depends on undersea cables, 5G networks depend on seamless backhaul, all of which can become congested, or even cut completely when the unexpected happens.
Resilience is inherently built into the Starlink system, with multiple satellites in view at any point in time. In comparison, geostationary satellite links are anchored to a single satellite, often with a proprietary network layer, which makes it extremely difficult to migrate to another satellite in the event of a failure in space.
By enabling seamless, reliable coverage across underserved areas, satellite networks can strengthen national digital resilience and help economies across the region accelerate their digital-transformation agendas.
How is low Earth orbit technology, through platforms like Starlink, changing the economics of connectivity for businesses?
Bottom line, the economics have completely shifted from previous generations of satellite connectivity offerings, and Starlink offers premium connectivity, quality, affordability, and ease of use when compared to older technologies.
The ease of use should not be underestimated. Not only are the user terminals much more affordable, they are also simple to install and move around, making Starlink a much better alternative compared to more complex satellite-based offerings from other companies.
LEO technology is reshaping business connectivity by removing the traditional cost barriers tied to physical networks. Instead of waiting for fibre lines or investing in complex infrastructure, companies can access high-speed, low-latency internet instantly, with better economics. This shift enables faster deployment, predictable costs, and reliable service across locations where traditional providers struggle.
LEO also strengthens business continuity. With dependable primary or backup connectivity, organisations avoid costly downtime and safeguard productivity, especially in sectors where uninterrupted digital access is mission-critical, such as healthcare, education, research, and emergency service.
Latency being so low is another clear benefit. Starlink latency is as low as 20 milliseconds, compared to up to around 600 milliseconds for geostationary alternatives. Latency significantly impacts enterprises by affecting user experience, productivity, and, ultimately, profitability. For instance, high latency can hinder online transactions, reduce the accuracy of trades in financial markets, and negatively impact real-time applications, like video conferencing. In industrial settings, low latency is crucial for applications like real-time control and automation, where even minor delays can have serious consequences.
What industries in the region stand to benefit the most from reliable high speed connectivity in remote or hard-to-reach environments?
Several industries stand to gain significantly from high-speed satellite connectivity, especially those operating in challenging or geographically dispersed environments. Sectors such as oil and gas, offshore and maritime fleets, and remote industrial operations rely heavily on stable communications for safety, productivity, and real-time data access.
Critical public-sector services, including hospitals, schools, research institutions, and emergency response teams, also benefit from uninterrupted digital access, ensuring essential operations continue smoothly even when terrestrial networks fall short.
Together, these industries gain a strong foundation for continuity, digital transformation, and improved service delivery across the region.
How do you see satellite networks reshaping the competitive landscape for traditional telecom operators in the coming years?
Satellite connectivity is opening new territories for digital services, strengthening business continuity, and supporting critical sectors such as energy, maritime, healthcare, education, and emergency response, areas where traditional operators often face high deployment costs or logistical challenges.
Rather than competing head-to-head with mobile networks, satellite networks are reshaping the market by filling coverage gaps, enabling better and cheaper cellular backhaul, enabling hybrid solutions, and giving operators new ways to deliver reliable service across wider geographies. This shift ultimately accelerates national digital transformation and raises the overall standard of connectivity across the region.
What role will connectivity play in enabling the next phase of digital transformation across the Gulf economies?
Connectivity will ultimately define how far and how fast Gulf economies can advance in their next chapter of digital transformation. As the region pushes toward smarter industries, more resilient national systems, and fully digital public services, the real differentiator will be the ability to stay seamlessly connected. What once depended on physical infrastructure will now be enabled by ubiquitous, high-performance networks that empower progress without geographic limits.
In that sense, advanced satellite connectivity doesn’t just close coverage gaps; it unlocks opportunity. It gives nations confidence that their digital ambitions can scale in line with their social and economic ambitions. Connectivity is the foundation upon which future innovations can be built – it is not just an enabler of transformation— it’s the catalyst for the next era of growth.
