The Potential Impact of Starlink's Policy Changes

By Admin 20 Jul 2026

"If Starlink begins strictly enforcing its Roam Travel Policy, users in our country could face serious difficulties."

DMG spoke with a technology service provider about Starlink's recently updated policies and their apotential impact on users in Arakan State.

DMG: First, could you explain the recent changes SpaceX has made to Starlink's policies? How might these changes affect Starlink services currently being used in Myanmar?

Technology Service Provider (TSP): Among the service plans offered by Starlink, the Roam Unlimited Plan has been the most widely used in our country. The latest changes affecting this plan are essentially an update to Starlink's existing Roam Travel Policy.

The Roam Travel Policy governs how users can access international roaming services while they are outside the country where their Starlink account was originally registered. Under the previous policy, users were allowed to use the service abroad for up to 60 days. That period has now been reduced to 30 days.

Because Starlink is not officially licensed to operate in Myanmar, a large number of Starlink terminals were suspended in early July on the grounds that they were being used in an unauthorized region. However, those suspensions were not directly related to the newly updated Roam Travel Policy.

Previously, we had not seen Starlink actively enforce the Roam Travel Policy. However, if the company now begins enforcing it strictly, Starlink users in Myanmar could face serious difficulties.

Most Starlink accounts being used in Myanmar were originally activated in different foreign regions. Requiring users to return to the account's country of registration every 30 days to reset the roaming period would simply not be practical for users here.

Starlink states that users who cannot return to the original country may upgrade to the Global Priority Plan. However, the monthly cost of that plan is extremely high, making it unaffordable for most ordinary users.

DMG: How much would users have to pay each month for the Global Priority Plan? Compared with the plans currently in use, how much more expensive would it be, and how much of a financial burden could it place on users?

TSP: The Global Priority Plan reportedly costs around US$160 per month for the subscription alone. On top of that, users must purchase data packages. A 50 GB package costs approximately US$95.50, while 500 GB costs around US$478. Users can purchase data packages of up to 25 terabytes.

For example, even if someone using the Global Priority Plan consumes only 50 GB of data in a month, the total monthly cost would be approximately US$255.50. If they use 500 GB, the total monthly cost would increase to around US$638.

By comparison, the Roam Unlimited Plan currently used by most people costs an average of around US$100 per month, although the exact fee varies depending on the region where the account is registered.

If users are forced to switch from the Roam Unlimited Plan to the Global Priority Plan, the increase in monthly costs would be substantial.

DMG: Starlink's policy states that the Global Priority Plan can be used internationally. Would that also apply to terminals operating inside Myanmar?

TSP: According to the Global Priority Policy, the service may be used worldwide, including across international borders, without any time restrictions.

However, Myanmar is not among the countries where Starlink has officially authorized its services. Therefore, we cannot say with certainty that the Global Priority Plan will function inside Myanmar.

At present, some terminals have already been suspended under the explanation "Location Restricted" because they are being operated in an unauthorized country. Many terminals that have not yet been disconnected have also received emails from Starlink stating that they are operating in an "Unavailable Region" and that their services have been restricted.

DMG: News reports have suggested that Starlink is tightening its policies because the service has been used by cross-border scam operations. As a service provider, what do you know about this? Could there be other reasons as well?

TSP: When Starlink terminals in Myanmar were first suspended, many people believed the action was linked to their use by cross-border scam operations.

However, the policies themselves had already existed for some time. My understanding is that Starlink may now be actively enforcing those long-standing policies because its services were used in connection with scam operations.

DMG: We understand that Starlink users may also be required to register with a passport and complete Global Travel Registration. Since many users in Myanmar do not have passports, could this create additional difficulties?

TSP: Starlink states that users of its international roaming plans must complete Global Travel Registration.

The company indicates that a passport is the primary form of identification, although another government-issued photo ID containing information comparable to that found in a passport may also be accepted.

However, I believe that using a valid passport would be the safest and most reliable option.

DMG: In recent months, we have seen repeated suspensions of Starlink terminals operating in Myanmar. What do you understand to be the main reason behind these shutdowns?

TSP: My understanding is that the recent "Location Restricted" suspensions occurred because the terminals were being operated in regions where Starlink has not officially authorized its services.

DMG: What kinds of technical services are you providing to reactivate suspended Starlink terminals? Are there cases where the terminals cannot be restored at all?

TSP: In emails sent to users whose terminals were suspended because of location restrictions, Starlink instructs them to move the terminal to a region where Starlink service is officially available and restore the service there.

Based on those instructions, I understand that the terminal would have to be physically taken to a country where Starlink is officially authorized before the service could be restored.

For that reason, I am currently unable to reactivate Starlink terminals that have been suspended because of location restrictions.

DMG: Since Myanmar is not a country where Starlink is officially authorized, are service providers testing any methods that could allow users to continue using the equipment over the long term?

TSP: At this stage, I think everything depends on how Starlink's policies continue to evolve. We'll have to monitor future developments before determining what options may be available.

DMG: What precautions should Starlink users take now to reduce the risk of their terminals being suspended?

TSP: Users whose terminals are still operating should avoid allowing their subscriptions to lapse because of unpaid bills.

In my experience, some Starlink services were initially suspended after users failed to pay their monthly fees. When they later made the payment and the terminal attempted to reconnect to the satellite to reactivate the service, the system detected that it was operating in a restricted location and suspended it.

Users should also avoid changing their account region or attempting to reactivate the service in another region simply because they have heard rumors or unverified reports about Starlink.

They should not cancel their existing service either. Even if they do not currently need the service or are temporarily unable to afford the monthly fee, it would be better to switch the account to Standby Mode rather than cancel it completely.

As long as the terminal has not yet been suspended, I believe the safest approach is to continue paying the monthly subscription and keep using the service as normal without making unnecessary changes.

DMG: Is there anything else you would like to add?

TSP: My advice is simple: if your Starlink terminal is still working, continue using it as normal.

These policies have existed for some time, so it is still impossible to say with certainty which terminals will eventually be suspended. For now, we simply have to continue monitoring the situation.

If the Roam Unlimited Plan eventually becomes unusable, users who can afford it may consider testing the Global Priority Plan.

For example, because Bangladesh, which borders Arakan State, is officially supported by Starlink, terminals that have already maintained service for four months may be transferred to the Bangladesh region and reactivated under the Roam Unlimited Plan.

The practical challenge, however, is whether users can realistically take their terminals to the Bangladesh border or into Bangladesh itself, once every month to restore the service.