Starlink's Warning to Roam Users in Unapproved Locations

Starlink is warning Roam users in Africa: Don't use our services in unauthorized countries. But this warning has implications beyond Africa. In this video, I explain what is going on with Starlink in Zimbabwe, and explain how it could affect Roam users worldwide.
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[@StarlinkHardware]

I have an updated video on the most recent warning email that was sent out this week: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIuzf6uMhNSijJo

[@Thulebeez]

This will happen also in South Africa those who import the Starlink kit. The issue here is these local governments can’t get tax revenue from Starlink. They are also protecting the Network Carriers and fibre providers who milking millions citizens big money for pathetic internet services.

[@advertentiegolf]

yeah thats my exact same problem in Morocco. It doesn't matter to me whether it's Starlink or a local ISP providing the service; all I care about is having reliable, high-quality internet. Unfortunately, ISPs here offer shockingly low speeds, like 1.7 Mbps for downloads and 0.3 Mbps for uploads. It's outrageous, but not surprising when you consider that these ISPs are largely controlled by the royal family. For instance, Morocco's three major ISPs-Maroc Telecom, Inwi, and Orange-are all tied to the monarchy. Maroc Telecom is state-owned, Inwi is controlled by the royal family's investment fund, and while Orange is 49% owned by a French company, the remaining shares are held by Moroccan investment funds, which are also heavily influenced (and owned by) by the royal family. It's incredibly frustrating to be paying 30-50 euros a month for such poor service.

[@AkramHadi-rc6fd]

Thanks Starlink Company , I got one I live in Asia Arab country, i use it in my village which doesn't have any communication with the world , I gave also connection to my neighbors they are happy.

[@gonzadman]

Today I lost my connection in Angola and got a warning saying: "Unexpected location. Please use your Starlink in an unblocked country." African contries don't like competition.

[@shokowillard]

Comparing 1Mbps to 1Mbps the Starlink service is more than 1000 times cheaper than dedicated fibre packages in Zimbabwe which are as high as 300US per month. Schools are paying as much as 5000US per month for internet access. Starlink roaming is about 40US, schools can save up to 59k a year by switching to Starlink. Starlink is currently a lot cheaper and faster than fibre in Zimbabwe.

[@ellistonmclean939]

Damn! Thats sad

[@alpi57]

Global Roaming is 400/month for a 50 mbp/sec max speed.

[@DavidQua]

As an overlander, this is a big deal. What is not mentioned in this video, is that say you register in Country A, travel to Country B use it for two months, then register in Country B, you then have to wait 90 days to re-register again. Meaning if I stay in Country B a further month and then move on to Country C, I have two months internet, and then 30 days outage until the 90 days is up. What a pain.

[@Canzelot1]

There is a limit of 5 changes of zones on every antenna, period

[@AhmedElGarrai1]

We are facing a long time service blackout due the war going on in Sudan, Can we -as the government- approve the service in the country and mark it as safe?

[@muctarr1847]

I’ve similar problem, I bought my kits in Nigeria was using it in Sierra Leone the services just stop yesterday asking me to use it in a registered country, I’m using the mobile regional plan, Sierra Leone govt approve the use of starlink in the country, even in the map on the app it’s showing the starlink is in the ocean, I’ve never been emailed non of the above you’re saying on this video I should’ve stopped sale.

[@mtimko9]

Question: If you live in an unauthorized country - but near the border of an authorized country, can you purchase and activate in the approved country- roam to the unauthorized country- then pop back over the border every 60 days to reset the roaming limit?

[@Knjukang]

I have same question Can he answer for us?😢

[@ellistonmclean939]

While you are in the roaming unauthorized country, you wont have connectivity until you go back in your approved country

[@thanva12]

voted this question also, I'm looking use startling in waiting list country in remote construction project area

[@Mexmex1975]

If you need permission to use the internet, and with Starlink sending threatening letters to paying customers? This makes this world more dystopian than any movie plot.

[@Hibsnejjar]

I am living in morocco and i'm looking for buying starlink. the thing is that they have cut also the network in here, but they say that the global roam is till working , but for how long ??? i want to buy it either from france or spain but the price is quite high : 230 euros. i heared that it was 150 ... is there a place where it coast 150 ?

[@قناةاولوز]

سلام عليكم في المغرب مخدمش اقفوه انا عندي لكن مخدمش حتى كن المغرب الترخيص

[@christian15213]

i am confused by their website and sales department. I want to buy in the US and travel to outside of the US for a few weeks. 60 days would ever be the max. can I purchase a standard kit and then a roam plan?

[@PENNHUANG]

did Mobile-Global plan working after starlink shut off the Mobile-Regional plan? I received an email this morning said they will shut off the Mobile -Regional plan on 21st August.

[@alonzofernandes1795]

Me too

[@StarlinkHardware]

As far as I know, Global still worked, and almost nobody had their Regional plan shut off from the previous warning. New video on the latest email: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIuzf6uMhNSijJo

[@PENNHUANG]

@@StarlinkHardware Thank you

[@jayk3519]

I wanted to take my kit from the UK to Bangladesh where SL service not available yet. Can I use global regional as I’m only staying for 3 weeks?

[@StarlinkHardware]

Starting April 30th, no Starlink dish or service plan will work in unavailable countries.

[@DavidQua]

@@StarlinkHardware I think there is a difference in what Starlink say and what Starlink do. I think you need to qualify that statement.

[@isasaparov2655]

Any updates on this? Did starlink actualy stoped the service or just jokking?

[@smartbusinessltd]

It did

[@mona-lizalottering4969]

Got cut off in Tanzania at midnight last night, when our subscription month ended. We live and work in a remote area with no stable alternative internet service. It is a big disappointment.

[@yvanbeguide9957]

You could not renew it time ?

[@mona-lizalottering4969]

@@yvanbeguide9957 The account is in Kenya, on automatic renewal, but I am using it in Tanzania on roaming and Tanzania has not authorised Starlink. So I'm in the same category as the South Africans and Zimbabweans.

[@mona-lizalottering4969]

@@yvanbeguide9957 they didn't suspend the service end of April as they warned, so we thought we were in the clear, but once the current month's subs ran out, they did. So those still happily using it in unauthorised countries, be warned, it is only a matter of time.

[@blakethomas9686]

But the Starlink map has Zimbabwe as coming soon in Q3

[@basboos5597]

Hi people. What if i buy the mini version in the Netherlands and then use it sometimes on sea or in country's that are now registrated (i am a service engineer that travels a lot). Is this possible? I now use Inmarsat system (E510 model) all over the world and works perfectly but it is very expensive. It is also not allowed on sea but it works great as i use it only often. Should i / can i change to Starlink ?

[@untetherednomad6393]

So..why is Z govt not allowing SL? That is the question that you did not address.

[@StarlinkHardware]

I wouldn’t be remotely qualified to give you the reasons why they haven’t approved Starlink. Per the Starlink email, if curious, you should contact your local government for those answers.

[@advertentiegolf]

The situation stems from the fact that powerful elites control the local ISPs, and Starlink presents a significant competitive threat. With Starlink, users can achieve download speeds of 100-200 Mbps, whereas local ISPs may only offer around 1 Mbps. Naturally, most people would prefer Starlink for its superior service. However, these state-controlled entities are generating substantial profits, potentially in the hundreds of millions (even billions), which could be at risk if Starlink enters the market. As a result, these groups may be obstructing Starlink’s entry to protect their financial interests. It's primarily a matter of protecting their revenue, even if it means limiting consumer choice.

[@cagri6]

I live in Turkey. Starlink availability: Pending appears as 2024. But does this matter? I'm trying to use it with a Global Roaming plan, but it says you are not in a valid location. Isn't the Global Roaming plan something you can use everywhere?

[@StarlinkHardware]

Not as of today. Pending means it hasn’t been approved yet, so no internet access under the new policy, even on Global.

Türkiye'de Starlink kullanabiliyor musunuz? Kullanabiliyorsanız hangi paketi aldınız?

[@MrRawand89]

its unfortunate , i am in iraq and i use starlink just for gaming since there are no gaming servers close to us we mainly connenct to germany servers normal cable internet getting us 70-90 ms which make competitive games completely unplayable with starlink although the roaming is a deprioritized plan behind residential it still gives 40-60 ms ping which is much better than the usual we get ... anyway whatever gonna happen it was awesome experience ...

[@alisaleh303]

Is it still working

[@johanbuys3299]

Q: is “country” regarded as land mass - there is no country to approve or disapprove Starlink coverage over oceans.

[@StarlinkHardware]

Ocean access is restricted to the Mobile Priority service plan only, so yes, country refers to land areas only for Roam, as Roam will not work on the ocean.

[@IsaSaparov]

Is it possible to remove gps inside dish?

[@StarlinkHardware]

It would be difficult, and without it, Starlink will still know your location because it can use its own satellites to calculate the location.

[@YugiOyu-w9d]

Among the people i know, only those using mobile regional received this message. Global regional did not receive. so maybe they need to update to global regional. Kindly advise.

[@StarlinkHardware]

Good information. There is a lot of conflicting info out there, even from Starlink sources. I guess we will have to wait until April 30th to really find out how far these new restrictions go.

[@AbujaE-mall]

But they removed global regional on some accounts

[@tiktokvibekit1614]

They removed global roam plan on all accounts in africa to prevent them from activating it note.only accounts created in countries In africa has been affected

[@muctarr1847]

I’m using mobile regional they didn’t send me the message, I’ve two kits

[@mona-lizalottering4969]

@@muctarr1847 they didn't suspend our service end of April as they warned, so we thought we were in the clear, but once the current month's subs came to an end two days ago, they did cut it. So those still happily using it in unauthorised countries, be warned, it is only a matter of time.

[@nyashanation]

20 may still kicking

[@clivekanyenda]

Second email wasnt sent to just africa but globally...anyone using Starlink in any unapproved country

[@stanley3.2.0]

Proved Now in Zimbabwe

[@KundaiKadzimba]

Yes but it is sold out .I wonder how?

[@smartbusinessltd]

It’s already happened I was paying around 60$ amonth on regional mobile now to bypass this I have to pay 466-500$ amonth … that’s not cheap for any average African for internet … is it worth it …absolutely not

[@sulimanabdelaty9975]

What do you think will be the best to solve the issue?

[@StarlinkHardware]

Starlink will have to work with individual countries to get official approval to operate. Otherwise, service will simply not work in unauthorized locations after April 30th. I'm afraid there isn't a good solution right now for the short term. It's possible Global Roam might still work, but we will have to wait and see after the 30th.

[@sulimanabdelaty9975]

@@StarlinkHardware I hope so, I bought it from UK and I used it for three months as mobile global. Then, I transferred to regional one. My country is on waiting list. I hope the global plan is still working there.

[@elmnyny]

morocco ?

[@ebubennadi8247]

This is Sad tho but anyways, solution would come

[@Refilwesigauke]

This never happened I live in Zimbabwe and used starlink

[@FreshGuava161]

There was brief window of one month where Starling was shut down in Zimbabwe. If you had your Starlink for more than 2 months by that time or you reached your 2 months roaming during that time you eventually got restricted. Some people didn’t get restricted. But That’s happening everywhere in Africa right now where Starlink is not official approved. I just wanted to vent cause I’m so pissed right now.

[@abbaaminu6003]

Thanks for this info very helpful

[@northblue8216]

Starlink is coming out with some pretty dumb statements regarding this, because it defeats the whole purpose of Starlink. In Antigua in the Caribbean, the Government kicked up a storm because Starlink wouldn't bow to their dumbness. So what they wanted to do was for Starlink to white label their product and authorize the Government to repackage and sell Starlink as their own product, and not be in competition with APUA (Antigua Public Utilities Authority) which is supposedly the master and commander of all things utility in Antigua. For instance, if you dig a hole on your property and find water in that hole, APUA owns that water, and they will come and put a meter on that water if you're using it. ok. So they wanted to own Starlink as their own under the authority of APUA and that would mean Starlink prices would triple and Starlink bandwidth would have to be reduced so as to not compete with APUA fiber packages. What Starlink is doing is wrong and ill advised. They can't control Dish Network or DirectTV and they cant' control IPTV over the Internet, so why should Starlink allow them to control their internet. Starlink is now bowing down and kissing the dirty ring of repressive, backward, protectionist, tyrannical, immature mentalities of people in charge, who think they own the people in their countries like Colonial slave masters owned slaves. Like, "How dare Starlink free OUR slaves from OUR chains that we put on them... How dare they!! Unacceptable. Off to the UN we go to complain and hold Starlink accountable!" Additionally, Starlink being unavailable is a huge plus for European companies in the Region, like Flow, Digicel, and Cable and Wireless, who control and influence the Government Ministers responsible for Communications in most of these countries with exception of Barbados which is already ahead of the curve in many respects. I'm sure the same goes for some of these backward, despotic African countries who all seem to bitch and moan about whiteman this and whiteman that, but hush their mouth about the grass huts their people live in, and the holes in the ground their people have to shit and piss in.

[@FrancoisClarke-w2s]

You design a product for rural usage but then cut connection...lol

[@abdilmoneimali2042]

If a specific country asked Starlink officially to cut all services on its land this would acceptable, but why Starlink will terminate all mobile roaming service in countries in Africa that they never complained to Starlink

[@muctarr1847]

The problem I’m having

[@Hibsnejjar]

Guys is the roaming global still at 100_$ in Nigeria ? I’m in a un allowed country and before this we could have Starlink in rural areas with poor network … now the prices of the global are around 400$ … instead of helpings those rural areas , and focusing on diplomatic and négociations efforts for those forbidden countries , Starlink prefer to waste efforts on maintaining its network for war facilities etc in other terms killing each other is better than those who live peacefully in rural areas … guys go see a therapist 😂

[@nkaziloic5047]

Thanks

[@calculative1387]

Do you mean we nigeria, we cant travel to our neighbouring countries?

[@StarlinkHardware]

According to the email, no service will be available in neighboring countries that aren’t Starlink approved.

[@calculative1387]

@@StarlinkHardware how can we reach them?

[@StarlinkHardware]

@@calculative1387 Through the Starlink app by creating a support ticket.

[@colinfwalters]

Let’s hope China builds a competing system

[@victorgogadi55]

TV chanel ina followers 480, nasikia harufu ya propaganda

[@Libturk]

So bad news Starlink will no longer be used in Africa Elon product can’t be trusted

[@StarlinkHardware]

It can still be used in supported areas of Africa, just not in countries that still haven't approved Starlink to operate.

[@untetherednomad6393]

Yah, right, more likely Z govt wants a bribe to use SL.

[@MarcosWassem]

Africa is not a country

[@Libturk]

@@MarcosWassem my friend there is a lot of African countries that not officially authorize Starlink now they won’t be able to use Starlink service. That what I mean I use Starlink with roaming service for almost 2years and now booom your service is restricted

[@calculative1387]

​@mohammedly6850 that is a bad news to us, please let the starlink team wait on till a country discuss this to them, because we use to travel to desert spent 4 to 5 months before we got back, please chat them up they need to increase the roaming months we are Nigerians and we travel alot expecially our neighbouring countries...

[@Farmadzija]

Serbia 2024 🙂🙂🙂

[@NJ.8721]

@StarlinkHardware Statements made by you in your video and especially by you in the comment sections need to be revised. 3,5 months later and unsupported Caribbean countries are using Starlink via roaming plans (regional and global) just fine. Nobody got shut off.

[@Crusader_core]

So i can switch my plan from global to the normal plans no problem??

[@daryljones8802]

People are getting shut off in Belize this week.

[@IsaSaparov]

Is it possible to remove gps inside dish?

[@StarlinkHardware]

No that wouldn't be possible without some advanced knowledge of the design. And even without GPS, the dish can locate itself using just Starlink satellites.