Starlink’s attempt to clamp down on roaming users abusing its service seems to have fallen short, despite the self-imposed deadline at the end of April.
For some time now, it has been known that Starlink’s service, not officially available everywhere, has been exploited beyond its designated geofenced areas. Even the Ukrainian government has accused the Russian military of utilizing Starlink, despite sanctions against Russia. Additionally, reports suggest widespread usage in Africa, despite only a handful of countries officially approving its operations.
The recent focus on Starlink’s use in Africa highlights the apparent flaws in the service’s geofencing capabilities. Despite warnings from Starlink to African users, stating that they had until April 30 to relocate their receivers to approved locations or risk service termination, illicit access appears to persist.
In a recent online poll, a significant portion of roaming Starlink customers in South Africa reported that their service is still operational. Similar reports have emerged from users in other countries.
Starlink’s letter to African users outlined the consequences of non-compliance, stating that service would be terminated for users operating outside of approved countries, even if they were in roaming mode. This crackdown comes as Starlink introduced a $200 per month Global Roaming service last year, allowing users to maintain access from anywhere a Starlink satellite could connect. However, it seems the company is now taking measures against individuals importing receivers to access the service in countries where it is not officially available.
The issue of Starlink operating beyond its geofences, potentially due to the illegal importation of terminals, gained attention in March when congressmen questioned how the broadband service was accessible to users from sanctioned nations. It was revealed that Starlink terminals may have reached Russian hands through neighboring countries where access is permitted. Similar concerns arise in the African context, raising questions about the oversight of Starlink’s roaming service and the company’s legal obligations.
These developments underscore the challenges faced by Starlink in enforcing its service restrictions and highlight the need for stronger governance and compliance measures.
