Starlink, the satellite internet network developed by SpaceX, has instituted a new outside region fee for users who activate a Starlink device outside the country where it was originally ordered.
Starlink has long battled resellers who purchase Starlink kits in supported countries, import them to unsupported countries, and sell them there. The practice is very common in Ghana.
In some cases, the resellers activate the product before sale and act as a middleman to help customers pay their monthly premiums. Such kits are also subject to the outside region fee.
To avoid the fee, users need to activate the Starlink in the same region where they ordered it.
There is a global black market of sorts for Starlink devices. One of the reasons for that is Starlink’s coverage, which spans nearly the entire globe. The company has already launched over 6,000 satellites into orbit, with more coming in the future. That helps people get the Internet in places where traditional ISPs don’t go.
Local governments and laws prevent Starlink from being supported everywhere. Using Starlink in some areas is still off-limits until deals can be put in place between Starlink and each region’s government. But that hasn’t stopped people from those unsupported regions from obtaining Starlink.
Starlink is trying to get regulatory permission to operate in as many countries as possible. It has recently received approval in Ghana to start operation ending of this month.
Earlier this year, SpaceX threatened to shut off Starlink access in unapproved areas and Mobile Regional roaming customers who have been out of their alleged home region for longer than two months. Starlink has also tinkered with the idea of removing its Mobile Global Plan.