The Samoan government has officially approved the telecommunication license for SpaceX’s Starlink service, opening the door for high-speed satellite internet connectivity. 

The much-anticipated announcement was confirmed by Regulator Lematua Gisa Purcell, in a statement released on Friday.

“This license allows Starlink Samoa Ltd to provide Internet services and equipment to operate in Samoa,” Lematua said. “Such services will provide the Samoan people with improved high-speed Internet connectivity to residential and business customers."

The approval marks a significant milestone in efforts to enhance digital infrastructure in Samoa, which has long struggled with limited and often unreliable internet services. 

Starlink, the satellite internet division of SpaceX, promises to deliver broadband services to areas where traditional fibre or cable networks have been challenging or cost-prohibitive to implement.

With the official license in place, the process for Samoans to access Starlink's high-speed internet is now clearly outlined. According to the Regulator, customers can either purchase Starlink services directly online through the official website at https://starlink.com, or through local resellers and retailers.

“Starlink satellite unit(s) can be purchased locally from Digicel or Vodafone (official resellers) or CSL and Bluebird Lumber (official retailers) approved by SpaceX,” the notice explained. 

“The public is advised that Noel Leeming, the Warehouse, and any overseas SpaceX resellers who do not have licenses to do business in Samoa cannot issue reseller and retailer approvals."

Lematua Purcell emphasised the importance of purchasing Starlink units through officially recognised vendors. “The Regulator will only accept approved retailer or reseller confirmations issued by SpaceX,” he said, urging the public to be cautious of unauthorized sellers.

The Regulator also addressed a key issue concerning international purchases of Starlink units. Under the new guidelines, individuals who purchase Starlink units abroad and bring them to Samoa may face higher charges due to international roaming tariffs.

“To address this issue, register your unit in Samoa using the starlink.com website,” the Regulator advised. “This will allow the use of Samoa’s local tariff of $139 tala per month for residential services. Tariffs for businesses and government offices are also available on the Starlink website.”

This step ensures that local customers can benefit from Samoa's more affordable local internet rates, rather than being subjected to higher fees based on the country where the device was purchased.

This landmark endorsement by the government is expected to bring about a significant improvement in internet access for both individuals and businesses across the country. Starlink’s satellite-based technology offers high-speed, low-latency internet, which will be particularly valuable for rural and remote areas where traditional broadband services have been limited or unavailable.

The government views this as a major development in its efforts to foster economic growth and digital inclusion. "This Government endorsement marks a significant step forward in improving connectivity, supporting economic growth, and enhancing access to reliable internet services in Samoa," the statement concluded.