Papua New Guinea's Internet Crisis: A Blow to Remote Communities
In a move that has sparked widespread outrage, the government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) has ordered Starlink, a satellite internet company owned by Elon Musk's SpaceX, to shut down its operations in the country. The decision has left thousands of people without access to the only reliable internet service available in many rural areas.
Prior to the shutdown, Starlink had been providing internet to remote communities, including entire villages and districts in the country's far-flung regions. The company's service was particularly useful in areas where mobile networks were unreliable or non-existent, offering a lifeline to those who relied on it for communication, education, and economic opportunities.
Now, however, businesses, health providers, and community members are struggling without access to this vital service. Small businesses have seen their ability to reach customers and process payments disrupted, while farmers and traders face long journeys to towns just to access basic services like banking. Health workers and teachers have also reported difficulties in accessing critical information and communicating with patients.
"The shutdown is really bad for this country," said John Simon, a businessman and former MP from Maprik. "Internet and online services have been expensive and slow for years, yet we cannot listen to the little people out on the street and sort this out."
About 200 people have signed an online petition calling on Starlink to be allowed to operate legally, highlighting the desperation of those affected by the shutdown.
The National Information and Communications Technology Authority (Nicta) claims that Starlink's operations were not licensed in PNG, but critics argue that this is a bureaucratic excuse for ignoring the needs of ordinary people. "This is not just about licensing," Simon said. "It's about providing essential services to those who need them most."
As tensions escalate, it remains unclear when or if Nicta will grant Starlink a license to operate in PNG. Meanwhile, the country's communication minister has declined to comment on the issue.
The shutdown of Starlink has exposed deep-seated flaws in PNG's communication infrastructure and the government's failure to address the needs of its most vulnerable citizens. With the Pacific region facing increasing competition from other satellite internet providers, it is essential that PNG finds a solution to this crisis soon – not just for the benefit of its people but also to ensure that remote communities can access the digital tools they need to thrive in the 21st century.
In a move that has sparked widespread outrage, the government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) has ordered Starlink, a satellite internet company owned by Elon Musk's SpaceX, to shut down its operations in the country. The decision has left thousands of people without access to the only reliable internet service available in many rural areas.
Prior to the shutdown, Starlink had been providing internet to remote communities, including entire villages and districts in the country's far-flung regions. The company's service was particularly useful in areas where mobile networks were unreliable or non-existent, offering a lifeline to those who relied on it for communication, education, and economic opportunities.
Now, however, businesses, health providers, and community members are struggling without access to this vital service. Small businesses have seen their ability to reach customers and process payments disrupted, while farmers and traders face long journeys to towns just to access basic services like banking. Health workers and teachers have also reported difficulties in accessing critical information and communicating with patients.
"The shutdown is really bad for this country," said John Simon, a businessman and former MP from Maprik. "Internet and online services have been expensive and slow for years, yet we cannot listen to the little people out on the street and sort this out."
About 200 people have signed an online petition calling on Starlink to be allowed to operate legally, highlighting the desperation of those affected by the shutdown.
The National Information and Communications Technology Authority (Nicta) claims that Starlink's operations were not licensed in PNG, but critics argue that this is a bureaucratic excuse for ignoring the needs of ordinary people. "This is not just about licensing," Simon said. "It's about providing essential services to those who need them most."
As tensions escalate, it remains unclear when or if Nicta will grant Starlink a license to operate in PNG. Meanwhile, the country's communication minister has declined to comment on the issue.
The shutdown of Starlink has exposed deep-seated flaws in PNG's communication infrastructure and the government's failure to address the needs of its most vulnerable citizens. With the Pacific region facing increasing competition from other satellite internet providers, it is essential that PNG finds a solution to this crisis soon – not just for the benefit of its people but also to ensure that remote communities can access the digital tools they need to thrive in the 21st century.
! I mean, those remote communities were literally counting on Starlink's internet service and now it's just gone 
. I was talking to my cousin from PNG last year and she told me how much they needed that internet to stay connected with the world and access basic services. Now, it's like the government is just ignoring them 
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. The government is more worried about their own interests than the well-being of their people. It's just not right 
. And now those 200 people have signed that petition and I'm sure they'll get a lot of support 
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. The Pacific region needs better internet infrastructure ASAP 
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. And what about all those people who signed that petition? Their voices are getting lost in the system. It's crazy how some governments can be so out of touch with their own citizens 
. We need to see some change happen ASAP! 
. I mean, how are they supposed to get work done or even just stay connected with family and friends? It's not like there's another option out there yet... Starlink was literally the only game in town for a lot of these communities.
. Seriously though, these people need help ASAP 
I'm so disappointed to hear about Starlink getting shut down in Papua New Guinea. Those folks were really counting on it to stay connected and get by in their rural communities. 
It's like the government is turning a blind eye to the struggles of ordinary people for some bureaucratic reason. 
It's not just about licensing, it's about providing essential services to those who need them most.
What's the point of having an internet crisis if you're not going to address it? 
We need to push for some real change here, not just talk about it.
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. The real issue here is that PNG needs to invest in modernizing its communication infrastructure and providing internet services to all its people, regardless of where they live 
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️... Remote communities can't keep living without reliable internet connections, it's not just a matter of convenience, it's about their livelihoods 
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! Like, who doesn't want reliable internet in rural areas? It's such a basic human right now 
. And honestly, I don't get why Nicta is being so bureaucratic about this... it's all about providing essential services to those who need them most 
. We should be supporting companies that bring reliable internet to remote communities 
. Come on, PNG government! Get your act together and sort out this mess ASAP 
.