Starlink warns South African users that roaming will stop working - unless they get Icasa approval

It’s sad because this type of technology always struck me as the “middle finger” to dictators, communist states and so forth because there’s nothing they can do about it. And I really thought Starlink would ignore political and regulatory pressure from these silly ass countries and carry on.

A force for good with internet access given to those in oppressive regimes (I include us in that as our gov is happily cozying up to them and copying them) would be so welcome in the world right now.

and then they go and cave…
 
neoprema said:
It’s sad because this type of technology always struck me as the “middle finger” to dictators, communist states and so forth because there’s nothing they can do about it. And I really thought Starlink would ignore political and regulatory pressure from these silly ass countries and carry on.
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Exactly what I've been think... it's not like governments or anyone owns space. This was suppose to be the freedom of speech/access tool that aligns with Musk's motivation for buying Twitter.
 
neoprema said:
I can confirm it’s not just South Africa.

Ours is a Mozambique device from our office there that is roaming here (barely, it was last used in the sticks) on their roaming package and I got a warning this morning that if it keeps roaming in non approved (translate: commie) countries, the connection will be suspended until it’s back in its home country .

It’s sad Starlink is giving into bullying by cesspool countries with corrupt commie governments who won’t approve it because they arent getting handouts.

Anyway will return it with the staff member who’s device is it back in Moz :)
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Please post the email header and contents for confirmation. Thanks.
 
I wonder if this is for technical reasons.

Despite them touting their inter sattelite connections, I suspect they have significant capacity restraints on those links. They are largely dependant on ground stations for the service to be viable. Thus this being a global policy change.
 
Sapphiron said:
I wonder if this is for technical reasons.

Despite them touting their inter sattelite connections, I suspect they have significant capacity restraints on those links. They are largely dependant on ground stations for the service to be viable. Thus this being a global policy change.
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Nah. What's the point of covering the globe if you can't sell a service in an area? This is going to cost Starlink as much as anyone else.
 
Sapphiron said:
I wonder if this is for technical reasons.

Despite them touting their inter sattelite connections, I suspect they have significant capacity restraints on those links. They are largely dependant on ground stations for the service to be viable. Thus this being a global policy change.
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Isn't it only Russia who is complaining of speed issues because of all the streaming drones?
 
lkpat said:
This morning was like waking up to regression. Heard from mom that one of our senior citizen retirement complexes has instituted lockdown after one resident tested positive for Covid.
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That's very random.
 
Tun@ said:
You not get it?
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Not the one @neoprema got
neoprema said:
I got a warning this morning that if it keeps roaming in non approved (translate: commie) countries, the connection will be suspended until it’s back in its home country .
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This is what I got:
"Additionally, the “Mobile – Regional” plans are intended for temporary travel and transit, not for permanent use in a location. If you have been using a "Mobile - Regional" plan for more than two months outside of the country in which you ordered Starlink, you must either see Support FAQs to change your account country or return to the country in which your service was ordered. Otherwise, your service will be restricted."

Personally I think this whole debarcle applies to people on a non-roaming package in a country other than where it was purchased.
 
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