Starlink halts services in Papua New Guinea amid licensing dispute

Starlink has fully withdrawn its satellite internet services from Papua New Guinea as the government continues to grapple with unresolved licensing issues.

The National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) confirmed last Thursday that SpaceX, Starlink’s parent company, was ordered to stop all satellite operations in the country a week earlier.

Despite the growing use of Starlink terminals in recent months, NICTA says the company is not currently licensed to operate in PNG.

It warns that anyone importing, installing, or using the service is in breach of the law and could face enforcement action, including prosecution.

NICTA says it is legally barred from issuing a licence at this stage, after the Ombudsman Commission intervened in March 2024, blocking Starlink’s approval due to concerns over service reliability and regulatory compliance.

The matter is now before the National Court, and a decision is still pending.

NICTA has stated it will proceed with licensing Starlink if the court grants clearance.

In a message to users, Starlink reaffirmed its commitment to PNG and encouraged customers to support its approval.

The company said it remains dedicated to delivering fast, reliable internet to homes, businesses, schools, and remote communities.

NICTA also confirmed that around 200 people have signed a petition in support of Starlink's services.

Communications Minister, Timothy Masiu declined to comment, citing the ongoing legal proceedings.

While Starlink has been widely praised for boosting internet access in remote Pacific nations, particularly in Tonga after the 2022 volcanic eruption disrupted undersea cables, Papua New Guinea remains a notable outlier, with its licensing process stalled since December 2023.

At a conference in Port Moresby in November, SpaceX Global Market Access Director, Rebecca Slick Hunter said the company is ready to launch services in PNG as soon as approval is granted.

She noted that Starlink has already established a local entity and intends to work collaboratively with existing providers.

[Source: RNZ]