Communities across Papua New Guinea are facing a growing digital crisis following a government-ordered shutdown of the Starlink satellite internet service, leaving businesses, healthcare providers, and students stranded without reliable connectivity.
Government order halts unlicensed service
In mid-December, the National Information and Communications Technology Authority (Nicta) directed Starlink, the satellite internet provider owned by Elon Musk's SpaceX, to cease all operations in the country. The authority stated the company was operating without the necessary legal licence.
The acting chief executive of Nicta, Lume Polume, confirmed that "Starlink is currently not licensed to operate in Papua New Guinea, and until the legal process is completed, services cannot be allowed." The regulator is now awaiting a directive from either the ombudsman or the courts on whether a licence will be granted, with no timeline provided for a resolution.
Starlink, which did not respond to requests for comment, has informed customers via email that it aims to provide service in PNG once official approvals are in place.
Widespread impact on remote users
While official user numbers are unavailable, telecommunications analysts estimate that thousands of people, including entire remote villages and districts, relied on Starlink terminals before the shutdown. The service was particularly vital in rural areas where mobile networks are unreliable or non-existent, offering a more affordable alternative to other costly satellite options.
The loss of connectivity is causing significant distress. Former Maprik MP and businessman John Simon criticised the decision, arguing it ignores the plight of ordinary citizens and small enterprises. "The PNG government must do something for the struggling small [businesses]," Simon said. "Ordinary people and small [businesses] rely on the cheapest and fastest option, and right now that is Starlink."
Healthcare and education severely affected
The consequences are being felt acutely in essential services. Health worker Theresa Juni, from East Sepik province, explained that her clinic used Starlink to communicate swiftly with town-based doctors and send reports. "Now we have to wait days or travel just to send information. For patients who need urgent care, these delays can be dangerous," she said.
In education, teacher Simon Jack from a remote high school in the Southern Highlands province highlighted the impact on students. "Students need internet to check their results and see where they have been selected to study [this year]. For many of them, Starlink was the only option that worked," he stated.
Businesses report disrupted customer communications and payment processing, forcing some farmers and traders to undertake long journeys to towns for basic banking services. An online petition demanding Starlink be allowed to operate legally has gathered around 200 signatures.
A recurring Pacific licensing issue
This is not the first time Starlink has encountered licensing hurdles in the Pacific region. In 2024, the government of Tonga similarly ordered the service to cease operations until it obtained a proper licence, sparking frustration among users, particularly after a major earthquake disrupted other internet infrastructure.
The communication minister for Papua New Guinea has declined to comment on the ongoing situation, leaving users in limbo as they await a legal resolution that could restore a critical lifeline for the nation's remote and underserved populations.
