Unauthorized Internet Starlink appears, violations can be fined up to 100 million

(Dan Tri) - Although the official service has not yet been commercialized, the underground market of selling "portable" Starlink devices and circumventing the law with the international roaming feature is openly exploding on social networks.

Last April, a ship owner in Hai Phong was fined 70 million VND for illegally installing Starlink (Photo: Radio Frequency Department).

Disturbance in the pirated Starlink network market

Recorded on social networking platforms such as Facebook, many groups, Fanpage providing Internet service Starlink attracts thousands of members to participate with exciting posts about buying, selling and exchanging equipment every day.

Taking advantage of the fact that the official service has not yet announced the commercialization time and has not shown the official coverage area in Vietnam, "piracy agencies" have preyed on the impatience of a part of customers in remote areas, islands or cruise ship owners.

A common trick advertised by these accounts is to smuggle devices from abroad through unofficial channels, then guide buyers to circumvent the law using the international roaming feature (Global Roaming).

This way, even in Vietnam, the device can still connect to the satellite constellation in orbit to access the Internet.

Through surveys, the entire set of terminals (depending on version) is being pushed up by pirates, ranging in price from 12 to 49 million VND, a huge difference compared to the manufacturer's original price.

Notably, these products are often floating goods, of unknown origin and have absolutely no genuine warranty commitment.

Many users reported that, despite spending a large amount of money to install and register for the service through online parties, after a few months of use, access was blocked.

According to current regulations, the Radio Frequency Department has granted a license to provide telecommunications services to Starlink Services Vietnam Co., Ltd. - the only legal entity with the right to import equipment and legally operate the Starlink system in Vietnam.

The management mechanism requires that all traffic data of satellite subscribers must pass through ground gateway stations (Gateways) located in the country before connecting to the public telecommunications network.

Users' arbitrary use of pirated devices and international mobile plans has completely disabled this monitoring role.

Previously, when the Radio Frequency Department discovered an unusual source of radio waves in the waters of Cat Ba (Hai Phong). Through inspection, the authorities determined that a cruise ship had arbitrarily installed and operated pirated Starlink equipment to broadcast Wi-Fi to tourists.

As a result, the ship owner was administratively fined 70,000,000 VND and had all illegal transceiver equipment confiscated (According to Decree 15 of 2020).

Users need to pay attention when using Starlink in Vietnam

The Radio Frequency Department has issued instructions and recommendations to users.

Regarding service registration: Organizations and individuals may only use satellite information services of telecommunications service providers that have been licensed by the Ministry of Science and Technology (type of telecommunications services on satellite fixed or mobile satellite public telecommunications networks) or legally authorized agents.

Users in need can choose to register to use the service in the form of a subscription provided by Starlink Services Vietnam Co., Ltd.

Regarding frequency licenses: When using official services through subscription from a licensed network operator, users do not have to apply for a license to use separate frequencies and radio equipment for satellite terminals.

Regarding equipment standards: Users are required to use terminal devices that have been certified to comply with regulations and have officially registered for services with Starlink Services Vietnam Co., Ltd. It is strictly prohibited to arbitrarily bring a terminal device from abroad and then activate it via the roaming feature to circumvent the law.

The authorities emphasized that all acts of manufacturing, importing, trading, installing and using low-altitude satellite terminals that do not comply with regulations will be severely punished with fines ranging from 70,000,000 VND to 100,000,000 VND, accompanied by an additional penalty of confiscation of evidence and equipment in violation.