On April 17th, reports indicate that Elon Musk's SpaceX has initiated measures to restrict unauthorized usage of Starlink high-speed internet service in countries not officially authorized. This move aims to combat the growing black market trading of the company's satellite kits to ensure compliance.
In recent days, Starlink users in Sudan, Zimbabwe, and South Africa received email notifications from SpaceX, explicitly warning that their service would be terminated by the end of this month due to lack of formal approval from local regulatory authorities. The email states that unauthorized use of Starlink services in these regions violates the company's service usage agreement.
The email further notes, "The availability of our mobile service plans depends on various factors, including formal approval from regulatory authorities," referring to Starlink's roaming service, allowing users to access SpaceX's internet service in different countries.
A few days ago, a U.S. media report highlighted the increasing presence of Starlink devices in the black market, enabling users to circumvent local regulatory restrictions and illegally utilize Starlink services. SpaceX has yet to respond to media requests for comments on this matter.
Starlink utilizes its vast constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit to provide airborne internet connectivity to users. Users connect to Starlink satellites via a terminal device. SpaceX promotes it as a convenient and efficient way to access the internet, particularly suitable for remote or rural areas where conventional broadband services are unavailable or unstable.
Since the launch of its first Starlink satellite in 2019, SpaceX has been seeking regulatory approval for its services globally. According to SpaceX, as of the end of March this year, Starlink services have been approved in 72 countries and regions. However, countries such as India, Russia, and much of Africa have yet to approve the service.
Nevertheless, many users worldwide have found ways to bypass local restrictions. They often purchase equipment kits in countries where Starlink services are authorized and subscribe to the company's roaming packages. In countries like the UAE and Mozambique, some intermediary companies even offer activation of Starlink services and send toolkits to users in regions where the service has not been officially launched.
In the recent emails sent to users, SpaceX explicitly states that Starlink's regional roaming plans are intended for temporary travel and transit and are not suitable for permanent use in a specific location. The email also mentions that if users roam on Starlink for more than two months without returning to the country where their equipment was purchased, their service will be restricted.
It is worth noting that a U.S. media investigation found that Russian military personnel on the Ukrainian front line and the Sudanese paramilitary group RSF are using Starlink devices.
John Plumb, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy, stated that the U.S. Department of Defense, Ukrainian officials, and the SpaceX team have been cooperating to prevent Russian military use of Starlink services. Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, the Ukrainian military has begun using Starlink services and has requested SpaceX to strictly limit the Russian military's use of its services in Ukraine.
Plumb recently revealed that progress has been made in cooperation among the parties. He said, "Starlink is a commercial product and is openly available on the market. Of course, Russia may also purchase and use it through the black market."
In recent months, several African countries, including Sudan, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, have issued announcements explicitly stating that the use of Starlink services is illegal. In Zimbabwe, law enforcement has begun confiscating Starlink devices and arresting and fining violators. Gift Machengete, Director-General of the Zimbabwe Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, stated that he had discussed the use of Starlink in the country with SpaceX representatives, including Musk. Shortly after the discussion, Starlink sent notifications to Zimbabwean users suspending their services. The email encourages users to contact relevant departments to support Starlink in obtaining necessary regulatory approval in Zimbabwe.
Musk has also expressed concerns about regulatory issues facing Starlink in certain countries. These countries employ special techniques that allow satellites to connect without the need for development permits for ground infrastructure. He recently stated that the further expansion of Starlink largely depends on obtaining approval from regulatory authorities in various countries. He said, "While some countries may not approve our system, we believe Starlink should be able to enter most countries."
In Sudan, Starlink device users have recently been receiving notifications of impending service shutdown. These users mostly rely on roaming options in the African region to use Starlink services, paying about $65 per month.
Two Sudanese officials revealed that the country's telecommunications regulatory authority had previously sought responses from SpaceX's global licensing and activation office in the U.S. regarding the use of Starlink services in Sudan but did not receive a clear response. Therefore, they contacted SpaceX's Middle East and Africa division in early April, requesting the closure of Starlink devices in areas controlled by rebel forces.
One official stated, "The RSF organization can access the internet via Starlink even deep in the desert, which has caused great concern among military commanders. They have been pressuring SpaceX to resolve this issue as soon as possible."
This decision has also raised concerns, with some fearing that cutting off Sudan's Starlink network connection could affect communication for millions struggling in the telecoms blackout for over two months. Shire Shadia, a Sudanese healthcare worker exiled to Uganda, says Starlink is the only way she stays in touch with her family trapped in the capital, Khartoum. "Every day, they risk going near the RSF camp to find the Starlink network to communicate with us. It's the only way we can stay connected."
Many Sudanese rely on Starlink to receive remittances from relatives living abroad, which are crucial for buying food and other necessities. Aid agencies have warned that parts of Sudan could face famine in the coming weeks or months, putting hundreds of thousands of lives at risk.
Eric Reeves, a Sudan expert at the Rift Valley Institute in Kenya, says some aid organizations heavily depend on Starlink services to communicate with local staff. He remarks, "This might be the worst possible time to restrict aid agencies' communication capabilities!"
In South Africa, a teacher shares his experience. He bought a Starlink device while vacationing in Canada and brought internet to the school in his rural town of Brandvlei. It significantly improved the learning environment, sparking more interest among students. However, now he faces the dilemma of South Africa possibly shutting down Starlink services, leaving students without internet access once again. He wonders, "How do I explain such a ban to the children and parents?"
