With SpaceX’s recent test of Starlink satellite internet on regular smartphones, the debate over Starlink’s potential presence in Iran has flared up once again among users frustrated by widespread censorship and sluggish internet speeds.
This report, drawn from conversations in the first episode of the “Seventh Layer” podcast, delves into the brief history of Starlink in Iran, the obstacles it faces, and what the future might hold for this technology in the country.
The ten-day internet blackout in November 2019 undoubtedly left a profound scar on the collective memory of Iranians. The lingering fear of another shutdown and being cut off from the world still haunts internet users. Many ponder what solutions they might have if such an event were to recur.
This concern has galvanized digital rights activists to focus on preventive measures and prepare for the possibility of another total blackout.
In the fall of 2022, following a new wave of censorship and intermittent internet outages after the nationwide “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests—ignited by the death of Mahsa Amini in morality police custody—these fears resurfaced with urgency. The conversation around satellite internet, particularly Starlink, suddenly gained traction on social media, offering a glimmer of hope to users.
SpaceX currently provides satellite internet services to over a million subscribers worldwide, most notably in Ukraine. Starlink, operated by SpaceX, is a satellite constellation designed to offer these services.
Renewed interest in Iran was sparked by a September 2022 tweet from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In it, he revisited “General License D-1,” announcing that technology companies providing free internet access to Iranians would be exempt from U.S. sanctions.
On September 24, 2022, Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, tweeted that he would activate Starlink for Iranians.
Later that year, Musk responded to a Twitter (now X) user, stating that approximately 100 Starlink units were active in Iran.
This revelation came after The Wall Street Journal reported that since the onset of the nationwide protests, about 200 Starlink satellite internet terminals had been smuggled into Iran.
In response to the U.S. actions, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson condemned the move as a “violation of Iran’s sovereignty” and warned that these “efforts will not go unanswered.”
Subsequently, the Islamic Republic filed a complaint against SpaceX with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), accusing the company of violating its territorial laws.
By July 2023, Iran’s ISNA news agency reported that the ITU had deemed providing services within Iran’s borders as unauthorized.
Iran’s Ministry of Information and Communications Technology claimed that the ITU’s Radio Regulations Board (RRB) required SpaceX to cooperate with the Islamic Republic. Documents from ITU meetings held October 23-27, 2023, show that offering Starlink services requires government authorization, and without such permission, Starlink devices should not operate in Iran.
In the latest twist, on February 26, 2024, the Iranian government submitted new documents demanding that Starlink terminate service to its devices in Iran as soon as they’re detected.
SpaceX defended itself by stating it cannot continuously monitor the locations of its sold devices. However, Iran rejected this defense, citing evidence that when Starlink devices are activated in Iran, a message appears to users in both Persian and English: “Starlink does not share your information with the government and regulatory agencies.”
The case remains under review by the ITU, with no final decision reached as of this writing.
Despite governmental opposition, reports suggest that satellite internet is operational within Iran—albeit still in its infancy and grappling with numerous challenges.
Access appears to have been facilitated through existing smuggling networks.
Hacked judiciary letters published on the Filterwatch website include a correspondence from Ali Bahadori Jahromi, the former government’s spokesperson and head of the Government Information Council, addressed to the Ministers of Economy and Industry. Dated October 29, 2022, it discusses banning the import of Starlink equipment due to their role in protests and facilitating communication among individuals.
This letter confirms the entry and use of Starlink terminals—devices registered in other countries that reach Iranian users at considerable expense.
Is Starlink the Solution to Iran’s Internet Woes?
At present, the answer seems to be no. Starlink is a project still under development and faces several technical limitations. The requirement for specialized hardware to set up satellite internet is one such hurdle.
While technological advancements have eased logistical issues like the need for ground stations, these changes don’t significantly advance the widespread adoption of this technology in Iran soon. The high costs associated with these services—even if they become legally available—remain a major obstacle for users.
Moreover, significant legal barriers exist. The ongoing legal battle between Iran and Starlink at the ITU—where the Islamic Republic insists on the acceptance of its territorial laws and specifications—is a major sticking point. According to documents from Iran’s Communications Regulatory Authority, these specifications likely include censorship measures and access to user information when deemed necessary.
Additionally, U.S. banking sanctions against Iran complicate the process of purchasing and subscribing to this service.
Given these challenges, it’s understandable that satellite internet can’t compete with Iran’s domestic operators, which boast over 80 million users, nor attract a significant portion of the country’s internet users.
However, there’s hope that even a limited number of Starlink terminals could prevent a complete internet blackout like the one experienced in November 2019.
As the Islamic Republic intensifies efforts to “nationalize” the internet and further restrict access to the global web, various scenarios emerge regarding the future of satellite internet in Iran.
One scenario favored by government supporters envisions the Islamic Republic launching its own satellite constellation, possibly in collaboration with allies like China and Russia.
Another, more optimistic scenario anticipates that technological advancements will eventually make satellite internet accessible via mobile phones—a development that, given current limitations, could be a multi-year journey for Iranians seeking unrestricted internet access.
