The Office of the Regulator is awaiting confirmation from SpaceX regarding whether local company Bluewave Wireless will be officially approved as a reseller of Starlink products and services in the country. 

This was confirmed in an exclusive interview with the Regulator, Lematua Gisa Fuatai-Purcell who provided further details on Bluewave's role in the rollout of Starlink's services in Samoa.

Speaking with the Samoa Observer this week, Lematua explained that while the cabinet had chosen Bluewave Wireless to partner with SpaceX for government projects, including the "School Net" initiative and efforts in the health sector, the local company still needs to apply directly to SpaceX for formal approval. 

“They were selected by the cabinet to work with SpaceX on several important projects, but they must seek SpaceX’s approval before becoming an official reseller,” Lematua clarified.

This follows a recent statement from the Office of the Regulator, in which Lematua confirmed that the Cabinet had endorsed the telecommunications license for SpaceX’s Starlink services in Samoa. 

The statement also named local companies and agents authorised as resellers and retailers of Starlink products in the country. Notably absent from the list, however, was Bluewave Wireless, prompting questions about the company's official status.

Lematua explained that while Bluewave has been designated as a partner for government-related projects, including providing Starlink services to schools and the health sector, it is still unclear whether the company will be approved as an official reseller. 

“They can purchase equipment and carry out government projects for schools and health, but whether they will be a reseller is still pending approval from SpaceX,” she added. Lematua also pointed out that private schools seeking Starlink services would need to contact Bluewave for assistance.

Since the approval of SpaceX's license to operate in Samoa, the Regulator's office has not yet conducted any monitoring of Starlink’s activities. 

However, Lematua expressed ongoing concerns regarding international resellers and the potential saturation of the local market with substandard or used equipment. 

“We are very cautious about international resellers who do not hold a license to operate in Samoa. We do not want to see Samoa become a dumping ground for used Starlink products,” she said, referencing concerns about cheaper products being sold in markets like New Zealand and Australia.

The Regulator has advised the public to purchase Starlink services directly through SpaceX’s online platform or authorised local resellers and retailers. Official resellers in Samoa include Digicel and Vodafone, while CSL and Bluebird Lumber are among the approved retailers.

In addition to overseeing Starlink's entry into Samoa, Lematua confirmed that the Regulator is in talks with two satellite companies from Europe, both of whom have expressed interest in expanding their services to the country. "We welcome competition and are currently in discussions with these companies," she noted, although she declined to name the companies involved.