Starlink app on Apple iPhone screen. Photo: 123RF / Thomas Dutour
Starlink is now in the last stages of getting operation licences across the Pacific following people illegally smuggling units from New Zealand and Australia.
The company promises to deliver fast internet to remote locations through its thousands of low earth orbit satellites.
Starlink has been given an operation license in both Solomon Islands and the Cook Islands.
Samoa's telecommunications regulator Gisa Fuatai Purcell said the licence is expected to be approved any day with it just requiring Cabinet's approval.
"There was never a doubt for Samoa or for me as the regulator not to approve SpaceX licence," she said.
Earlier in the year, border workers in some Pacific Island nations were told to be on guard for illegal Starlink equipment being smuggled.
Solomon Islands telecommunications commissioner Calvin Ziru said consumers have been anxiously awaiting news of the license.
He said it has taken about two years to happen.
"This is a major development in the potential for the telecommunications sector for Solomon Islands and we wanted to make the right decision, there's still a lot to unpack and to access and examine."
Ziru said Solomon Islands is one of the most expensive places in the world for internet.
"The demand for Starlink has been quite high, similar to many other countries in the region," he said.
"We already had numerous units being brought in bulk where people are connecting to Starlink using roaming."
Cook Islands telecommunications regulator chair Bernard Hill said Starlink plans to allow people to buy the product online and have localised pricing.
Prior, the Cook Islands allowed users to roam from New Zealand and Australia through what was called a transitional license.
"There has a significant number [of people using Starlink].
"I don't know what the number is in any kind of absolute terms but there is several hundred of them here and I would think it is making a bit of a dent in Vodafone's subscriber base for fixed broadband that's for sure."
Hill said all Pacific nations have a goal of transforming digitally and the new internet player will help make the market more competitive.
He said Pacific nations have plans in place for "significant digital transformation".
In an email last month to Starlink customers in various locations around the world, including in Samoa and Solomon Islands, the company said users outside the country in which they ordered the product would not be able to connect to the internet.
"The 'Mobile - Regional' plans are intended for temporary travel and transit, not for permanent use in a location," it said.
Samoa's regulator issued a statement that said all customers using Starlink legally would continue to do so while those illegally needed to register them locally.
Ziru said Starlink's email relates to many Solomon Islands units.
He said they will no longer be able to roam but will be able to connect to the local service.
"When Starlink announced that they were going to switch off their services to countries that are unlicensed we were not entirely phased by that particular announcement.
"We were able to say, 'yes, the licensing is actually quite critical, and that compliance will need to be done'," Ziru said.
In July, Fijian owned telecommunication provider, Telecom Fiji, signed an agreement with Starlink to become the authorised reseller for Starlink services.
"This collaboration allows us to bring advanced satellite technology to the most remote parts of Fiji, ensuring that every business and community can thrive in the digital age," Telecome Fiji chief executive Charles Goundar said.
"Starlink service will complement our other product capability allowing us to offer innovative business solutions."
Goundar told fijivillage.com Telecom Fiji "had a large number of sign-ups from all over the country, including the outer islands".
Last month, Nauru's state-owned entity also signed an agreement to become the first Pacific nation to roll out Starlink's Community Gateway service.
RNZ Pacific contacted Starlink for comment but we did not get a response.
