SpaceX a crackdown on users connecting to it has begun Starlink high speed internet service from countries where it is not approved.
Details
Starlink customers in Sudan, Zimbabwe and South Africa have received email notifications from the company in recent days warning that their access to the service would be terminated by the end of the month.
The emails were sent to users in regions where Starlink is not yet fully authorized.
“The availability of our mobile service plans depends on various factors, including regulatory approvals,β the emails said, referring to Starlink roaming products that allow subscribers to use its internet services in different countries.
Zoom out
Starlink began operating its Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Internet service in 2019. SpaceX is rushing to ask regulators around the world to approve the service.
Starlink is currently licensed in 72 countries, according to the company.
Digging deeper
Currently, middlemen buy and activate Starlink kits in authorized countries and resell them to consumers to avoid the restrictions. These intermediaries purchase the company’s “Roaming” services to access its Internet service.
Starlink said it plans regional roaming βthey are intended for temporary travel and transit, not for permanent use in one location.β in his email to users.
Users roaming on Starlink for more than two months without returning to the country where they ordered their device they will see their service restricted.
Consumers in many African countries incl Sudan, South Africa, Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congohave purchased Starlink kits from intermediaries for use in their countries.
In Zimbabwe, police had begun confiscating Starlink kits and arrested and fined some users.
Source: Wall Street Journal
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