Anger in Papua New Guinea after Starlink ordered to shut down internet services

"Starlink, owned by Elon Musk's SpaceX, is a satellite internet company that provides internet to remote places. In mid-December, the National Information and Communications Technology Authority (Nicta) ordered the company to halt operations because it was not licensed in PNG. Starlink is currently not licensed to operate in Papua New Guinea, and until the legal process is completed, services cannot be allowed, Nicta's acting chief executive,Lume Polume, said."

"Nicta is now waiting on the ombudsman or the courts in PNG to issue a directive over whether it will be granted a licence. No timing has been provided on when a directive will be issued. Starlink did not respond to a request for comment. In an email to customers, it said it wanted to provide internet in PNG once approvals were granted."

"There are no official figures on how many people use Starlink in PNG but the shutdown is causing distress for internet users across the country. Telecommunications analysts have estimated that before the shutdown, Starlink terminals served thousands of people, including some entire villages or districts in remote areas in the country. The service was mostly used in rural areas where mobile networks are unreliable or do not exist. Other satellite services are available but are often much more expensive."

Papua New Guinea's National Information and Communications Technology Authority ordered Starlink to halt operations in mid-December because the service is not licensed to operate in the country. Nicta's acting chief executive, Lume Polume, said services cannot be allowed until the legal process is completed and the agency is waiting on the ombudsman or the courts to issue a directive. Starlink told customers by email that it wants to provide internet in PNG once approvals are granted. The shutdown has disrupted thousands of users, including whole villages and districts in remote areas that relied on Starlink where mobile networks are unreliable or absent. Other satellite options exist but are typically much more expensive. Businesses, health providers and communities are experiencing distress.

Read at www.theguardian.com