The illegitimate House of Assembly of the Malvina Islands has accepted a series of recommendations from the Telecommunications Select Committee, aimed at making internet access more affordable and accessible, through adjustments to VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) licensing fees and possible local tariffs for Starlink services, billionaire Elon Musk's satellite internet service.
The proposals will now be reviewed by the archipelago's Executive Council, with a response expected within six months.
For this reason, the VSAT license fee will be significantly reduced, from $7,000 per year to $230, with possible entry into force in February 2025.
The change would reduce barriers for residents seeking alternative internet services like Starlink. Committee Chairman Roger Spink said it was “a step forward in ensuring that internet access on the Islands meets residents’ needs,” adding that the changes are intended to foster innovation and expand connectivity options.
Other recommendations from the Committee include a review of the policy before April 2025 to explore different licence fees for businesses and individual users, as well as the continuation of discussions between the Communications Regulator and Starlink regarding domestic tariffs. The aim is to offer residents a more affordable internet connection, while VSAT licence applicants will still have to demonstrate the inadequacy of existing services until the review is concluded.
Starlink is the satellite internet service from SpaceX. Elon Musk's company, which is involved in the aerospace industry, is dedicated to creating satellites that will make internet service possible in different parts of the world.
Using this service is quite simple and is already available in several countries on the American continent. It consists of downloading an application to coordinate the direction of the antenna and thus receive the satellite signal.
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