Starlink ready to start operation in PNG

Starlink has announced that it is fully prepared to start operations in Papua New Guinea once it receives approval from the National Information and Communications Technology Authority [NICTA].

Speaking on Day 2 of the DTS25 conference during the session on Connectivity and Critical Digital Infrastructure, Starlink’s Director of Global Market Access and Activation, Ms Rebecca Hunter, said the company is ready to move quickly.

Ms. Hunter, who oversees Starlink growth globally said Starlink has already built a strong global presence.

“Starlink is a product and service within SpaceX. In five years of operation, Starlink is now in 152 countries. We have launched over 10,000 satellites into our low earth orbit satellite constellation. We have a global business model, and we operate like a local company.

So everything on our side to do business is ready and waiting, and as soon as we get our authorization from NICTA, we could activate services here within a month or two. We will be collaborating with local companies here in PNG, and a lot will happen after we’re licensed to operate.”

During the panel, former NICTA Chairman Mr Noel Mobiha welcomed Starlink’s interest but also raised important concerns from the audience.

“If Starlink is serious about this, they can install a ground station, for issues of security. This is a very delicate country with 800 different languages, and many different cultures and lines of thinking. The geolocation of Starlink becomes a major issue for the delivery of services in PNG.”

Mobiha urged Starlink to work closely with PNG regulators and to ensure their operations are transparent and secure for the country.