SpaceX has hit a regulatory roadblock in Sri Lanka. The government has suspended Starlink’s rollout in the country, citing unresolved national security concerns. Among the government’s concerns is access to communications data.
The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) granted Starlink a license to operate in 2024. That approval came from a previous administration, and now the current government has halted the service’s rollout. According to Deputy Minister of Information Technology, Eranga Weeraratne, Starlink’s suspension stems from the absence of a guaranteed provision for legal data interception.
“There may be instances in which Starlink satellite communication services being used for any unlawful act by some individuals. Then, the Sri Lankan security apparatus should have the right to obtain data related to such communication for legal action,” he said. (via Daily Mirror)
The original license granted by TRCSL did not allow such access, and the government is now working to ensure these are included before allowing SpaceX to proceed with offering Starlink in Sri Lanka.
Starlink’s entry into Sri Lanka was originally facilitated by a landmark amendment to the country’s Telecommunications Act—the first such change in 28 years—which was passed in parliament to accommodate the introduction of satellite internet.
Starlink’s availability map indicates the company still hopes to launch the service in Sri Lanka in 2025.
