📡 Cayman Islands regulator bans sale of Starlink internet terminals

The Cayman Islands' utilities regulator, OfReg, has prohibited several stores and vendors, including Cost.U.Less and Shop Smart Cayman, from selling satellite internet terminals. The regulator argues that this move is intended to safeguard consumers. However, the decision has sparked controversy due to the unreliable, expensive, and often substandard service provided by existing communication companies. 📶

OfReg issued cease-and-desist notices to these merchants because they did not obtain the necessary authorization to legally import and resell the equipment. The terminals connect to Elon Musk's Starlink, which is currently unlicensed to provide services in the Cayman Islands. OfReg warned that anyone purchasing the terminals would be unable to legally put them into service. Despite this, there are reports that many residents have already bought the equipment either locally or overseas and are using it. The regulator has not specified when it plans to approve the use of satellite terminals in the Cayman Islands or what will happen to residents who continue to import them privately. 🛰️