Licence approval not influenced by social media advocacy, follows strict legal process: TRBR

August 24, 2024 9:00 am | Posted in Business News | Share now Twitter Facebook

By Doddy Morris.

The Telecommunications, Radiocommunications, and Broadcasting Regulator (TRBR) would like to clarify that the approval of the Starlink licence in Vanuatu has nothing to do with social media influencers.

TRBR is making this clarification following a front-page story published yesterday by the Daily Post Newspaper, in which Milroy Cainton, a social media influencer, said the approval of Starlink’s license by TRBR was the result of his two-year advocacy effort.

However, according to TRBR, such a statement is inaccurate.

The TRBR has been negotiating with Starlink since 2021, and the extended duration of the process is due to the need for Starlink to comply with all regulatory requirements within Vanuatu’s jurisdiction—there were no shortcuts.

“We approved Starlink’s telecommunications license this week following the procedures we have been carrying out since 2021. We could not have approved or allowed Starlink to operate in Vanuatu if they had not met the legal requirements,” TRBR stated.

“For a company like Starlink to establish operations in Vanuatu, there are many requirements: it must obtain approval and certification from the Vanuatu Foreign Investment Authority, secure a name certificate from the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission, and acquire a business license from the Customs and Inland Revenue Department to operate legally in Vanuatu. TRBR is the last entity to grant approval to Starlink.

“These processes are what took time for TRBR to approve Starlink’s telecommunications license. It is not due to social media campaigning for its approval.

“We cannot promote an illegal service; they must follow all the processes like any other company in Vanuatu.”

TRBR also mentioned that negotiations with Starlink have been ongoing since 2021 and that all relevant issues have been discussed over the past few years. Allegations that TRBR was unwilling to grant Starlink a licence are false; TRBR’s priority is ensuring that all procedures comply with Vanuatu law.

“Vanuatu is a sovereign nation with its own rules. When foreign investors come, we expect them to comply with the laws of Vanuatu,” TRBR added.

TRBR further noted that they are aware that many people in the country are using Starlink equipment illegally.

They mentioned that Starlink will deactivate all unauthorised equipment and urged users to register their devices in accordance with the law.

Despite this, the Daily Post acknowledges the hard work Milroy has done regarding Starlink in Vanuatu by advocating for it and ensuring that people understand what Starlink is, how it operates, and how it will benefit the people of Vanuatu.

“It is true to thank the Government and TRBR, but as for me, if no one had been advocating for this on Facebook, do you think they would have signed the approval? This is the power of people and social media, which plays an effective role in society by raising awareness and advocating for Starlink, so we should also thank social media for this,” he told the Daily Post on Wednesday this week when he learned that Starlink’s licence has been approved by TRBR.

The TRBR also revealed that the fine for those using illegal Starlink dishes is VT20 million for companies and VT2 million for individuals.