Frustration is mounting across Papua New Guinea weeks after the government ordered Starlink to shut down its operations, leaving businesses, health providers, teachers and remote communities struggling without reliable internet access.
Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, had been providing connectivity to some of the most isolated parts of Papua New Guinea (PNG), where traditional mobile and fixed-line networks are often unreliable or non-existent. In mid-December, however, the National Information and Communications Technology Authority (Nicta) directed the company to halt services, citing the absence of a valid operating licence.
“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 at the time.
Nicta has since said it is waiting for guidance from the country’s ombudsman or the courts on whether Starlink should be granted a licence. No timeline has been given for when a decision might be reached, prolonging uncertainty for users who had come to depend on the service. Starlink did not respond to requests for comment, but told customers by email that it intends to resume operations in PNG once the necessary approvals are secured.
While there are no official figures on the number of Starlink users in PNG, telecommunications analysts estimate that before the shutdown the service was used by thousands of people. In some cases, a single Starlink terminal served entire villages or districts, particularly in rural and mountainous regions where mobile coverage is weak or absent. Alternative satellite services exist but are often significantly more expensive, putting them out of reach for many individuals and small businesses.
The sudden loss of connectivity has sparked anger among users, who say the decision failed to consider the realities faced by ordinary Papua New Guineans. Businessman and former Maprik MP John Simon said the shutdown had compounded long-standing problems with internet affordability and quality in the country.
“This is really bad for this country. Internet and online services have been very expensive and slow for years, yet we cannot listen to the little people out on the street and sort this out,” Simon said. “The PNG government must do something for struggling small businesses. Ordinary people rely on the cheapest and fastest option, and right now that is Starlink. This issue must be sorted.”
The country’s communications minister declined to comment on the situation, adding to perceptions of official silence. In response, about 200 people have signed an online petition calling on the government to allow Starlink to operate legally, arguing that access to affordable internet is now essential for economic development, education and health care.
Teachers and health workers say the impact of the shutdown has been immediate and severe. Simon Jack, a high school teacher in a remote part of Southern Highlands province, said students are struggling to access basic information.
“Students need internet to check their results and see where they have been selected to study this year,” he said. “For many of them, Starlink was the only option that worked.”
Health worker Theresa Juni, based in East Sepik province, said Starlink had enabled her clinic to communicate quickly with doctors in larger towns and to send medical reports electronically.
“Now we have to wait days or travel just to send information,” she said. “For patients who need urgent care, these delays can be dangerous.”
Businesses have also reported disruptions to payment processing, customer communication and supply chains, while farmers and small traders say they are once again forced to travel long distances to towns simply to access banking and government services.
The standoff in PNG echoes similar licensing disputes elsewhere in the Pacific. In 2024, Tonga’s government ordered Starlink to cease operations until it obtained a licence, triggering public frustration, particularly after an earthquake damaged local internet infrastructure. For many in Papua New Guinea, the fear is that prolonged regulatory delays will deepen the country’s digital divide at a time when connectivity is increasingly vital.
