Starlink in the Falklands – Petition Group Press Release

“VSAT Public Consultation Period Extended

The public consultation period on the proposed changes to the policy that guides the issuing of VSAT licences and the associated fee level has been extended by a month.

The proposed changes were considered by Executive Council earlier this year in response to the community petition and Select Committee process that took place last year. The Falkland Islands Government has agreed to a request for an extension to the current public consultation to ensure that the consultation process is as complete and inclusive as possible.

The original public consultation period was due to conclude on 11 April 2025. This has now been extended to Sunday 11 May 2025, with Executive Council now due to consider the matter on 3 June 2025.”

Starlink Petition Group Press Release: April 9th 2025
Response to the Falkland Islands Government April 8th 2025 Press Release:
– VSAT Public Consultation Period Extended –

In light of yesterday’s press release from the Falkland Islands Government, the Starlink Petition Group wishes to respond formally. Given the significance of this matter, we believe it is necessary to express the views of our group clearly.

The press release announced that the public consultation period regarding the FIG VSAT licence and the potential licensing of SpaceX’s Starlink service has been extended. Initially due to conclude on April 11th, 2025, the consultation will now run until May 11th, 2025, with the Executive Council (ExCo) meeting on June 3rd, 2025. We assume that Sure Falkland Islands requested this extension, and are likely to ask again.

We want to reaffirm our continued support for the process followed by MLAs and FIG in response to the petition. We appreciate the careful consideration and understand the importance of ensuring due process is observed. We also acknowledge that the principal reason for the thoroughness of this approach is to reduce the risk of potential challenges from Sure Falkland Islands.

The Starlink Petition Group’s efforts began in May 2024 and culminated in the petition submitted to MLAs on July 11th, 2024. Since then, we have seen a sustained public engagement and multiple consultations. Key milestones include:

• August 1st, 2024: First Select Committee meeting
• September 5th, 2024: Second Select Committee meeting
• October 3rd, 2024: Final Select Committee meeting
• November 18th, 2024: Completion of a public survey conducted by Cambridge Management Consulting
• February 25th, 2025: ExCo meeting where the government indicated it was ‘minded’ to support the petition
• March 10th – May 11th, 2025 Current public consultation period – three months!
• Parallel consultations: Conducted by the Communications Regulator with selected stakeholders

This means we have engaged in nearly ten months of continuous consultations. While we understand the importance of this process, we must question whether these repeated consultations yield new insights or are simply revisiting the same ground.

At the recent public meetings, Sure made it clear that it would not accept the introduction of Starlink in the Falklands, citing various so-called ‘existential’ concerns. While we are disappointed by this latest delay, we have received it in good faith. However, we remain deeply concerned that this will not be the last. With further extensions after the June ExCo meeting looking increasingly likely, the pattern of delay is becoming harder to justify.

To provide a sense of accountability and closure from a community standpoint, we plan to hold a public meeting at the Town Hall on July 11th, 2025, exactly one year after the petition was formally submitted. The purpose and focus of this public meeting will depend on the status of the Starlink process at that time.

We thank the MLAs and FIG for their continued engagement and hard work, but we respectfully urge:

No more delays. No more consultations.

Let us move forward.

Starlink Petition Group

ENDS