Starlink Halts Satellite Services To Papua New Guinea

NICTA chairman Brian Riches and acting CEO Lume Polume (NBC News: Wari Ila)

In Papua New Guinea, Starlink has completely stopped providing satellite services as the government struggles with its license.

The National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) said last Thursday that SpaceX, the network’s parent corporation, had been told to stop providing satellite services in Papua New Guinea a week prior.

“At the moment, Starlink lacks a licence to operate in Papua New Guinea. In spite of this, NICTA has seen continuous Starlink terminal importation, supply, installation, and use throughout the nation in recent months,” the statement stated.

“Any person or entity engaging in these activities is in breach of the law and may be subject to enforcement action, including prosecution.”

The Ombudsman Commission of the nation, which has rejected Starlink’s license agreements since March 2024 due to dependability concerns, claims to be “legally restrained” by the agency.

Eighteen months later, NICTA sued the OC. NICTA intends to license Starlink for usage in accordance with the court’s judgement, which is still pending.

Starlink urged consumers to show support for its complete operational clearance in its service announcement.

“We remain committed to bringing Starlink service to Papua New Guinea and believe high-speed, reliable internet will support homes, businesses, schools, and remote communities across the country.”

Approximately 200 people have so far signed a petition for the service to be permitted in the nation, according to NICTA.

Timothy Masiu, the minister of communications, declined to comment as long as the case was still in court.

Two and a half years have passed since Tonga’s undersea internet cables were destroyed by a volcano eruption, and a compassionate Kiwi MP begged Elon Musk to assist them.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk would take Shane Reti’s call and offer his Starlink technology to help them reconnect to the outside world.

Limited trials in American-owned Guam and the Northern Marianas preceded Starlink’s Pacific debut, which was followed by the Cooks in April 2021. However, its deployment in Tonga won over the hearts and minds of the larger Pacific community.

In many island nations, the service which is delivered by a unique satellite network—has been praised as “transformational” for expanding internet connectivity to isolated locations, often for the first time.

Since December 2023, Starlink’s attempts to obtain a licence in PNG have been impeded by the Ombudsman Commission’s criticism of the government on Starlink’s dependability.

In February 2024, the Commission halted licensing attempts, claiming that current laws might not be sufficient to control possible threats to public safety and interest.

The National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) retaliated by suing the OC in the National Court in an attempt to overturn their order and make the internet service available.

Confusion over whether Starlink was in PNG was recognised in an August 2024 NICTA statement.

“In light of references made in traditional and social media over the past six months querying the licensing of Starlink in Papua New Guinea, I confirm that the matter is now subject to a judicial review proceeding before the National Court.”

SpaceX global market access director Rebecca Slick Hunter informed the audience at a seminar in Port Moresby in late November that Starlink was ready to activate in PNG as soon as the chance presented itself.

“Starlink has a local PNG business entity and will operate the same as any local company,” the slide stated.

“Starlink is complementary to existing terrestrial providers; we fill in the ‘gaps’ in connectivity and can provide critical redundancy.”

“Therefore, everything we need to conduct business is prepared and ready, and we may start services here in a month or two as soon as we receive authorisation from NICTA. We’ll be working with local businesses in PNG, and once we have an operating licence, a lot will happen.”

The current status and the future outlook about the situation is that, the case is still In court and NICTA has contested the Ombudsman Commission’s order. A hearing was held on September 5, 2025, however as of late December 2025, no decision had been made.

Starlink has urged consumers to support its complete clearance through an online petition and reaffirmed its commitment to entering the PNG market in a service notification.

The representatives from SpaceX have stated that once NICTA grants the required authorisation, they might start services in a month or two.

In Papua New Guinea, all Starlink operations are suspended until the legal proceedings are finished.