Social Media Influencer’s 2-year advocacy helps bring Starlink to Vanuatu

August 23, 2024 7:30 am | Posted in Uncategorized | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Doddy Morris.

Vanuatu Social Media Influencer Milroy Cainton has welcomed the approval of Starlink’s licence by Vanuatu’s Telecommunications, Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator (TRBR) this week, following two and a half years of advocacy efforts.

Cainton, who has been at the forefront of this campaign by posting weekly and facing criticism and confrontation from the TRBR, police, and courts due to unlawful usage, said his hard work and dedication played a key role in bringing Starlink to the country.

“Almost every day, I posted about Starlink until we discovered the Chinese connection and exposed it,” he said. “This is the power of the people and social media. We should thank social media for playing an effective role in raising awareness and advocating for Starlink.

“When Witnol, Kenny, and I were using Starlink, the police told us to stop. They arrested us, but we never stopped advocating. We should not be afraid; if you believe an issue is right, you should keep fighting for it. If I can stand non-stop for two years, another individual can also make a change. It’s not just the government that can make changes.

“If we had not been fighting so hard to have Starlink in Vanuatu, they would never have approved its licence. It was only after we exposed a Chinese user of Starlink that they fast-tracked the approval process.”

The approval of Starlink’s licence is expected to have a profound impact on rural communities in Vanuatu, where access to reliable internet has been a long-standing challenge. Cainton noted the benefits that Starlink will bring to remote areas, such as Ureparapara, Torres, Futuna, and Aneityum.

“This solution will help achieve the objectives of the national ICT policy. Since Starlink requires less technical knowledge to set up, it can be easily installed on top of a truck and serve rural schools in areas like Ureparapara, Torres, Futuna, and Aneityum. Even area councils with limited technical expertise can access the internet for workshops or other activities in their regions,” he said.

“During or after a cyclone, an area council can instantly connect to update the National Disaster Management Office. Rural schools will also benefit from affordable, reliable internet, which requires minimal technical knowledge to operate, effectively providing them with an online library.

“Health workers can utilise Starlink to run telemedicine platforms, and businesses in remote areas can access high-speed internet. This means that an internet user in the U.S. enjoying 300 Mbps is no different from a user in Vanuatu, whether in the middle of Santo’s bush or in Torres, where a Starlink dish is available.”

He added that currently, the digital divide between someone living in the city and someone in a rural area no longer exists; the same speed enjoyed in the U.S. can now be accessed here.

“The communication challenges people have faced are now over. Everyone will be connected, able to communicate, and have access to high-speed internet. Starlink does not require someone from Vodafone for setup.

“I would like to thank Minister of Finance, Johnny Koanapo, who was also part of this drive to bring Starlink to Vanuatu,” Cainton told Daily Post.

The licence was issued by Mr. Brian Winji Molitaviti, the TRBR, on 21 August 2024, in accordance with Sections 7 and 12 of the Act.

According to the TRBR, for the purpose of this licence, telecommunications services do not include broadcasting services. However, this licence is granted to the licensee on a non-exclusive basis.

“The term of this licence shall be for 15 years from the date of issuance, and the provision of services under this licence is subject to Clause 5.1(a). The licence will be capable of being renewed after that time, subject to the conditions applicable at the time.

“The licensee shall, within 20 working days following the end of each calendar quarter after the date of this licence, pay to the Regulator an amount of 2.25% of net revenues for that calendar quarter. This amount is known in this licence as the Licence Fee.

“The amount, calculation, and payment dates of Licence Fees may be varied from time to time by statutory or regulatory amendment in accordance with Section 15 of the Act, and, if that occurs during the term of the licence, then the Regulator will advise the licensee of the variations and amended conditions in writing with the ability for consultation or appeal under the Act,” the TRBR stated.

Within six months of operation in Vanuatu, the licensee must notify the TRBR of its physical presence and/or its agent(s) in Vanuatu, and that the licensee shall comply with the Customs and Inland Revenue Act and VAT procedures for Vanuatu.

“Failure to comply with the conditions of this licence may lead to the revocation or non-renewal of this licence by the Regulator, in accordance with Section 15 of the TRBR Act and/or subject to penalties stipulated in Section 46 of the TRBR Act,” the Regulator stated.

The TRBR added that the licensee shall employ Vanuatu nationals in the business of the company and in all ancillary and related activities in and related to Vanuatu, except where the employment on secondment to the licensee of non-Vanuatu nationals is necessary for the proper running and management of the business of the company.

It is further stated that the licensee shall be governed by and construed in accordance with any other laws (current & future) of the Republic of Vanuatu.