SpaceX’s Starlink satellite Internet service is designed to provide high-speed communications that are “available almost anywhere on Earth,” but officially only works in countries where relevant agreements have been signed.

At the same time, today the Starlink terminal can be easily purchased online, bypassing official supply channels. Moreover, such a terminal can be easily configured, launched and will work, and SpaceX cannot (or does not want to do) anything that would prevent the operation of such “gray” terminals.

Starlink and war

Starlink has become a lifeline for many in war-torn countries like Yemen and Sudan, offering a way to bypass censored and unreliable internet services. Despite the risks associated with rival gangs, people are doing their best to purchase these terminals for personal and business communications.

Starlink also played an important role in the war in Ukraine. After the large-scale invasion of Russia, Elon Musk sent thousands of Starlink terminals at the request of Ukraine and later expanded the scope of services by officially including Ukraine in the list of countries where satellite internet is provided.

However, it has recently been learned that Starlink terminals are also used by Russians. SpaceX was quick to deny any involvement in the supply of equipment to Russia, but this in no way absolves the company of liability, which may limit the operation of terminals in certain locations, as in the summer of 2023. When the Ukrainian military encountered operational problems in Starlink.

Countries around the world are grappling with an influx of black market Starlink equipment. However, efforts to combat illegal terminals have not restricted their use but have only led to increased prices. It also seems like SpaceX itself is rushing to deal with the problem.

Starlink kits, for example, are being sold for use in Venezuela, where individuals and organizations have been under US sanctions for nearly a decade. The coverage map on the Starlink website shows that the South American country is outside the scope of service. However, according to Bloomberg, social networks are actively promoting package deals on Starlink equipment, which is widely available and popular due to its reliability and portability.

What they say at SpaceX

SpaceX has said it investigates and disables terminals used by sanctioned or unauthorized parties, but the growth of the black market suggests stricter measures may be necessary to prevent abuse.

As Starlink continues to expand its satellite network, the company faces the challenge of balancing its commercial goals with the need to comply with regulatory requirements and national security considerations.

Given the recent US investigation into SpaceX, it looks like SpaceX will need to take concrete action against illegal terminals, but it will be a matter of time when and if that happens.