Starlink ban threatens communications for millions across Myanmar, including Arakan State

By Admin 18 Jul 2026

DMG Newsroom

18 July 2026, Rathedaung

More than 13 million civilians across Myanmar face the risk of losing access to communications after SpaceX imposed a blanket ban on Starlink satellite internet services as part of efforts to crack down on cross-border cyber scam syndicates operating in the country, according to a joint statement by a coalition of 255 civil society organizations (CSOs).

The statement, addressed to the United States government, SpaceX and international organizations, said that while CSOs support efforts to dismantle criminal syndicates, they are deeply concerned that the regional blanket ban is causing severe unintended consequences for civilians.

"While these blanket shutdowns are intended to target criminal compounds, in practice, they are inadvertently severing vital communication lifelines for schools, hospitals and humanitarian aid workers on the ground," the CSOs said.

In October 2025, SpaceX deactivated more than 2,500 Starlink terminals operating near cyber scam centers along the Thai-Myanmar border. However, the latest restrictions have also affected devices in Arakan State, Magway Region and Sagaing Region, areas unrelated to cyber scam operations.

A Starlink service provider in Arakan State said, "I understand that the Starlink terminals recently affected by location restrictions are being deactivated because they are operating in regions where Starlink has not officially authorized its services."

Due to internet shutdowns imposed by the junta and ongoing armed conflicts, around 80 of Myanmar's 330 townships currently lack access to conventional communication networks, leaving them entirely dependent on Starlink satellite internet services.

The coalition of more than 250 organizations said the blanket ban would severely disrupt humanitarian and medical coordination, public safety alerts and early warning systems, public services, democratic governance, and the ability of independent media outlets and organizations to document human rights violations.

"If Starlink services are shut down in areas like Arakan State, where regular phone lines and internet access have already been cut off, it will paralyze all sectors, including the flow of goods, general communication, business operations and financial transactions," another Starlink service provider in Arakan State said.

The CSOs urged SpaceX to immediately restore services to devices located outside documented scam compounds and replace broad restrictions with precise, data-driven enforcement measures.

Myanmar civil society organizations also expressed their willingness to assist as ground-level resources to verify terminal ownership, saying such cooperation would help distinguish humanitarian organizations from criminal syndicates.

The 255 organizations concluded their statement by reaffirming their commitment to cooperate in combating cross-border crimes while ensuring that efforts to dismantle criminal networks do not undermine the vital communication lifelines relied upon by millions of civilians.