Stephen Nelson, the Satellite Policy Director at SpaceX, emphasized Georgia's strategic geographic position as a “bridge between Europe and Asia” during a session at the Internet Governance Global Forum, organized by the Georgian National Communications Commission in Saudi Arabia. Nelson highlighted Georgia's role as a crucial transport and logistics hub along the Trans-Caspian trade corridor, noting that the country's location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia has historically served as a vital link between the global East and West. He underscored that Georgia’s geographical advantage is becoming increasingly significant in today’s global landscape.

Nelson also acknowledged the innovative role of the Georgian National Communications Commission, particularly its pioneering efforts as the first telecommunications regulatory body in the Caucasus region to license Starlink’s satellite internet service. This licensing has facilitated the elimination of geographical barriers to digital access in Georgia, allowing Starlink to provide high-speed, low-latency internet to regions previously underserved by traditional communication infrastructure. Nelson emphasized that Starlink’s satellite internet service is now available in remote mountainous villages, where users can access speeds of 100-200 Mbps with latency as low as 20 milliseconds.

Looking ahead, Nelson shared plans for Starlink to introduce new business models in Georgia in 2025, including innovations aimed at improving spectrum efficiency and achieving speeds of up to 1 Gbps, along with further reducing latency.

He also discussed the concept of "digital corridors," likening them to modern Silk Roads that facilitate instant communication and cross-border collaboration while democratizing access to knowledge and markets. Nelson reaffirmed SpaceX's commitment to working closely with the Georgian National Communications Commission to bring further technological advancements to the country throughout 2025.