The U​.​S. Congress, Mike Sievert (CEO of T-Mobile),and Elon Musk (CEO of SpaceX/Starlink)

The Issue

In Iran, a nation of over 88 million people, the fight for basic human rights is intrinsically linked to the fight for free information. The Iranian government routinely uses internet blackouts and oppressive censorship as weapons to silence dissent, isolate its citizens, and hide human right abuses from the world. Millions of voices are being deliberately suppressed. But today, we have a historic opportunity to change that.

A powerful combination of groundbreaking American technology and bipartisan policy can provide a digital lifeline to the Iranian people. Companies like Starlink and T-Mobile are at the forefront of Direct-to-Cell satellite technology, which can deliver resilient, censorship-resistant internet access directly to the smartphones people in Iran already own. This isn't a distant dream; the technology is here, and the demand is overwhelming.

For companies like T-Mobile and Starlink, this is more than a moral imperative; it's a powerful business opportunity. The Iranian diaspora, with an estimated 2 million people in the U.S. alone, maintains close daily contact with family in Iran. This passionate community represents a massive, untapped engine of demand for cross-border connectivity. If even 20% of this community purchased satellite access for their loved ones, it could create 800k to 1.2 million new satellite connections, forging deep emotional loyalty and turning users into passionate brand advocates. This initiative would allow these companies to establish themselves as global champions of digital freedom while tapping into a vast, underserved market.

To make this a reality, we also need action from our leaders in Washington. The Maximum Support Act (H.R. 2614) is a piece of legislation designed to facilitate this exact kind of public private partnership, aligning with longstanding bipartisan support for internet freedom and U.S. national security interests. Empowering Iranians with secure mobile access helps undermine authoritarian control and amplifies the voices of civil society.

The time for waiting is over. The technology is ready, the demand is clear, and the moral and strategic imperatives are undeniable. We cannot stand by while millions are silenced.

Therefore, we, the undersigned, urge the U.S. Congress to pass the Maximum Support Act and call on T-Mobile and Starlink to:

1. Collaborate with policymakers on pilot programs to deploy Direct-to-Cell access for the Iranian people.

2. Work with diaspora leaders to ensure a secure, scalable, and accessible rollout of this life-changing technology. 

Sign this petition to send a clear message: let's unite purpose and profit to make history and send one clear signal of hope to millions of voices in Iran.

1,798

The Issue

In Iran, a nation of over 88 million people, the fight for basic human rights is intrinsically linked to the fight for free information. The Iranian government routinely uses internet blackouts and oppressive censorship as weapons to silence dissent, isolate its citizens, and hide human right abuses from the world. Millions of voices are being deliberately suppressed. But today, we have a historic opportunity to change that.

A powerful combination of groundbreaking American technology and bipartisan policy can provide a digital lifeline to the Iranian people. Companies like Starlink and T-Mobile are at the forefront of Direct-to-Cell satellite technology, which can deliver resilient, censorship-resistant internet access directly to the smartphones people in Iran already own. This isn't a distant dream; the technology is here, and the demand is overwhelming.

For companies like T-Mobile and Starlink, this is more than a moral imperative; it's a powerful business opportunity. The Iranian diaspora, with an estimated 2 million people in the U.S. alone, maintains close daily contact with family in Iran. This passionate community represents a massive, untapped engine of demand for cross-border connectivity. If even 20% of this community purchased satellite access for their loved ones, it could create 800k to 1.2 million new satellite connections, forging deep emotional loyalty and turning users into passionate brand advocates. This initiative would allow these companies to establish themselves as global champions of digital freedom while tapping into a vast, underserved market.

To make this a reality, we also need action from our leaders in Washington. The Maximum Support Act (H.R. 2614) is a piece of legislation designed to facilitate this exact kind of public private partnership, aligning with longstanding bipartisan support for internet freedom and U.S. national security interests. Empowering Iranians with secure mobile access helps undermine authoritarian control and amplifies the voices of civil society.

The time for waiting is over. The technology is ready, the demand is clear, and the moral and strategic imperatives are undeniable. We cannot stand by while millions are silenced.

Therefore, we, the undersigned, urge the U.S. Congress to pass the Maximum Support Act and call on T-Mobile and Starlink to:

1. Collaborate with policymakers on pilot programs to deploy Direct-to-Cell access for the Iranian people.

2. Work with diaspora leaders to ensure a secure, scalable, and accessible rollout of this life-changing technology. 

Sign this petition to send a clear message: let's unite purpose and profit to make history and send one clear signal of hope to millions of voices in Iran.

The Decision Makers

Mike Sievert
Mike Sievert
CEO, T-Mobile
ELON MUSK
ELON MUSK
CEO, Starlink

Supporter Voices

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