Nabilah S
Starlink is currently in the final stages of obtaining operational licenses throughout the Pacific, following incidents of individuals illegally smuggling units from New Zealand and Australia.
The company is committed to providing high-speed internet to remote areas via its thousands of low Earth orbit satellites.
Starlink has successfully secured operational licenses in both the Solomon Islands and the Cook Islands.
Samoa’s telecommunications regulator, Gisa Fuatai Purcell, stated that the license is expected to receive approval any day now, pending only Cabinet’s consent.
“There was never any doubt for Samoa or for me, as the regulator, regarding the approval of SpaceX’s license,” she remarked.
Earlier this year, border workers in some Pacific Island nations were advised to be vigilant against the illegal smuggling of Starlink equipment.
Calvin Ziru, the telecommunications commissioner for the Solomon Islands, mentioned that consumers have been eagerly awaiting updates on the license.
He noted that the process has taken approximately two years to reach this stage.
“This is a significant development for the telecommunications sector in the Solomon Islands, and we wanted to ensure we made the right decision. There is still much to unpack, assess, and evaluate,” he explained.
Ziru pointed out that the Solomon Islands ranks among the most expensive places in the world for internet access.
“The demand for Starlink has been quite high, similar to many other countries in the region,” he added.
“We have already witnessed numerous units being brought in bulk, with people connecting to Starlink while roaming.”
Bernard Hill, chair of the Cook Islands telecommunications regulator, indicated that Starlink plans to enable customers to purchase the product online with localized pricing.
Previously, the Cook Islands permitted users to roam from New Zealand and Australia under what was termed a transitional license.
“There is a significant number of people using Starlink here. While I can’t provide an exact figure, there are several hundred users, and I believe it is making a noticeable impact on Vodafone’s fixed broadband subscriber base,” he noted.
Hill emphasized that all Pacific nations aim for digital transformation, and the introduction of a new internet provider will foster greater market competition.
He mentioned that Pacific nations have strategies in place for “significant digital transformation.”
In an email sent last month to Starlink customers in various global locations, including Samoa and the Solomon Islands, the company stated that users outside their country of order would no longer be able to connect to the internet.
“The ‘Mobile – Regional’ plans are designed for temporary travel and transit, not for permanent use in any location,” the email clarified.
Samoa’s regulator issued a statement affirming that all customers using Starlink legally would continue to do so, while those using the service illegally would need to register their equipment locally.
Ziru noted that Starlink’s email pertains to many units in the Solomon Islands.
He stated that while these units would no longer be able to roam, they would still be able to connect to the local service.
“When Starlink announced that they would discontinue services to countries lacking licenses, we were not particularly concerned by that announcement,” he concluded.
“We were able to confirm that ‘yes, the licensing is indeed quite critical, and compliance will need to be undertaken,'” Ziru stated.
In July, Telecom Fiji, a Fijian-owned telecommunications provider, entered into an agreement with Starlink to serve as the authorized reseller for Starlink services.
“This partnership enables us to introduce advanced satellite technology to the most remote regions of Fiji, ensuring that every business and community can flourish in the digital era,” said Charles Goundar, chief executive of Telecom Fiji.
“The Starlink service will enhance our existing product capabilities, allowing us to provide innovative business solutions.”
Goundar informed fijivillage.com that Telecom Fiji has received a substantial number of sign-ups from across the country, including the outer islands.
Last month, Nauru’s state-owned entity also signed an agreement to become the first Pacific nation to implement Starlink’s Community Gateway service.
RNZ Pacific reached out to Starlink for a comment but did not receive a response.
