SpaceX pulls Starlink service from Papua New Guinea
SpaceX has now withdrawn the Starlink services it informally had provided customers in Papua New Guinea after a volcano eruption in 2021 due to regulatory demands by the government there.
It’s been two and a half years since a volcano eruption tore apart Tonga’s underwater internet cables, and a sympathetic Kiwi MP pleaded to Elon Musk for help on their behalf. Musk, CEO of SpaceX, would answer Shane Reti’s call, offering his Starlink technology in aid of their reconnection to the world.
Starlink’s Pacific debut came with limited trials in American-owned Guam and the Northern Marianas, followed by the Cooks in April 2021. But for the wider Pacific community, its deployment in Tonga captured hearts and minds. The service, provided by a special satellite network, has been hailed as “transformational” in numerous island nations, broadening internet coverage to remote areas, some for the first time.
That is, unless, you’re in Papua New Guinea. Starlink’s attempts to gain licensing in PNG have been tied up since December 2023, with the Ombudsman Commission challenging the government over Starlink’s reliability. The Commission blocked licensing efforts in February 2024, and have argued that existing regulations may not be adequate to manage potential risks to public interest and safety.
In-fighting within Papua New Guinea’s government continues to block Starlink license approval, so it appears SpaceX has decided the best way to get a positive decision is to walk away, hoping the ensuing pressure from its customers might force action from the government.
On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.
The print edition can be purchased at Amazon or from any other book seller. If you want an autographed copy the price is $60 for the hardback and $45 for the paperback, plus $8 shipping for each. Go here for purchasing details. The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.
The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News
SpaceX has now withdrawn the Starlink services it informally had provided customers in Papua New Guinea after a volcano eruption in 2021 due to regulatory demands by the government there.
It’s been two and a half years since a volcano eruption tore apart Tonga’s underwater internet cables, and a sympathetic Kiwi MP pleaded to Elon Musk for help on their behalf. Musk, CEO of SpaceX, would answer Shane Reti’s call, offering his Starlink technology in aid of their reconnection to the world.
Starlink’s Pacific debut came with limited trials in American-owned Guam and the Northern Marianas, followed by the Cooks in April 2021. But for the wider Pacific community, its deployment in Tonga captured hearts and minds. The service, provided by a special satellite network, has been hailed as “transformational” in numerous island nations, broadening internet coverage to remote areas, some for the first time.
That is, unless, you’re in Papua New Guinea. Starlink’s attempts to gain licensing in PNG have been tied up since December 2023, with the Ombudsman Commission challenging the government over Starlink’s reliability. The Commission blocked licensing efforts in February 2024, and have argued that existing regulations may not be adequate to manage potential risks to public interest and safety.
In-fighting within Papua New Guinea’s government continues to block Starlink license approval, so it appears SpaceX has decided the best way to get a positive decision is to walk away, hoping the ensuing pressure from its customers might force action from the government.
On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.
The print edition can be purchased at Amazon or from any other book seller. If you want an autographed copy the price is $60 for the hardback and $45 for the paperback, plus $8 shipping for each. Go here for purchasing details. The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.
The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News


I wonder what it would take to motivate SpaceX and StarLink to abandon support for the EU.
The Papua New Guinea governments officials are waiting for a bigger bribe.
I wonder how many Starlink customers there are in Europe? It is pretty densely settled so there may not be all that much demand. The EU needs to be sanctioned for its lack of free speech as does Australia.
“Mike Borgelt” I have no doubt that you are correct about bribes.
I know how politicians sleep “They lie on one side, then lie on the other, rather like lawyers.
When you are digging out of ash, women don’t crave watching their stories.
Now, let the Russians send up ball bearings up there–housewives the world over will invade Putin’s bunker and drag him out of it personally.
When cable was out for a week…eesh….if Momma ain’t happy… ain’t NOBODY happy. My Dad and I tried to hide.
That chopping wood scene from THE WITCH… that’s non-fiction.
A John Galt moment in Papua New Guinea, but the elites who are running the place probably don’t care what happens or how many of the “little people” who live there might be inconvenienced. As Robert suggests, “In-fighting within Papua New Guinea’s government continues to block Starlink license approval, so it appears SpaceX has decided the best way to get a positive decision is to walk away, hoping the ensuing pressure from its customers might force action from the government.” Assuming, of course, rational behavior on the part of the government.
Most people in the Western world — unless you are a Democrat — still subscribe to the residual belief that governments are instituted to serve the needs / promote the welfare of their citizens. The Powers That Be in PNG would seem to have no such illusions. Likewise, TPTB in places like California and Minnesota. Just ask Tampon Tim Walz.
Elon wasn’t going to make much money on island nations one way or the other.
To Milt…chew upon this:
The thing libertarian zealots forget about the Space Race is that it was a form of recruitment.
Musk is well within his rights to take his ball and go home–but China could just as easily offer coverage at no “cost” except for a nice port somewhere.
China and Uncle Sam are playing chess, only Sam’s little 3 year old nephew is running around knocking over pieces.
And this is why Xi smiles more than Mao ever did.
He is a little behind this time…but is hoping that board flips and the pieces scatter
–and he gets a whole new game.
“Most people in the Western world — unless you are a Democrat — still subscribe to the residual belief that governments are instituted to serve the needs / promote the welfare of their citizens.”
LOL!
They are actually criminal gangs that take over a territory using violence or threats thereof in order to loot the wealth of the inhabitants.