Elon Musk is once again making the case that widespread internet access is the most powerful tool available to lift people out of poverty, arguing that connectivity unlocks education, economic opportunity, and access to global markets on an unprecedented scale. Speaking in a recent interview and reflecting on remarks he made during a 2025 global forum appearance, Musk said the single most impactful step governments and innovators can take is ensuring affordable, high-bandwidth internet access for populations that lack it or face prohibitive costs.

Musk pointed to SpaceX’s Starlink network as a practical example of how this vision is being implemented. Starlink now provides high-speed internet service to more than nine million users across 155 countries through a constellation of over 9,300 satellites in orbit. According to Musk, this level of global connectivity allows individuals to learn new skills for free, access educational resources previously out of reach, and sell goods and services directly to international customers without relying on local infrastructure.

Users have shared tangible outcomes tied directly to internet access, including completing online degree programs, entering new industries, and monetizing creative work for global audiences. In regions affected by censorship, conflict, or infrastructure collapse, some individuals have reportedly used Starlink terminals to bypass blackouts and maintain access to information, communication, and digital commerce when traditional networks failed.

Musk also emphasized SpaceX’s dominant role in enabling this connectivity, noting that the company is responsible for the vast majority of mass launched to orbit and operates a significant share of active satellites worldwide. That scale, he argues, is what makes global, high-bandwidth coverage possible and sustainable, particularly in remote or underserved areas where traditional telecom investment has long been absent.

Despite the progress, challenges remain. High equipment costs in some countries, regulatory barriers, logistical hurdles, and risks such as digital fraud continue to limit adoption in parts of the developing world. Even so, broader economic data consistently shows that increased broadband penetration correlates with higher household income, reduced poverty, and stronger economic growth, reinforcing Musk’s argument that connectivity is not a luxury but a foundational driver of prosperity.

Musk’s message is clear and unapologetic: when people are connected to the internet, they gain access to knowledge, markets, and opportunity on a global scale, making affordable connectivity one of the most effective long-term tools for reducing poverty and expanding human potential worldwide.