At a Glance

• KRG requests closure of Starlink retailers
• Terminals reportedly sold without licenses
• CMC says Starlink lacks Iraqi authorization
• Authorities urged to block illegal imports

The Kurdistan Region Ministry of Transport and Communications has asked the Ministry of Interior to shut down stores selling Starlink satellite internet terminals without official licenses or authorized dealership status.

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Key Statements and Focus Area

• The Iraqi Communications and Media Commission (CMC) says Starlink has no official license or authorized dealerships in Iraq.
• The terminals currently being sold are reportedly not registered with an official regulatory institution.
• Authorities have been asked to prevent the unauthorized import of Starlink equipment into the Kurdistan Region.
• The KRG ministry called for immediate action against unauthorized commercial sales.

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The Kurdistan Region Ministry of Transport and Communications has formally requested that the Ministry of Interior close establishments and retail stores selling Starlink satellite internet terminals without legal licenses or authorized agency status.

The request follows findings by a specialized committee monitoring internet service providers and inspecting the local market.

According to the committee, Starlink terminals are being sold through retail outlets without official operating licenses.

The ministry said the terminals sold so far have not been registered with any official regulatory institution, potentially creating future regulatory and security concerns.

The Iraqi Communications and Media Commission has confirmed that Starlink currently holds no official license or authorized dealership to operate in Iraq.

The federal position follows a recent increase in the sale of Starlink terminals in the Kurdistan Region, particularly in Erbil.

The Kurdistan Region Ministry of Transport and Communications has called for border crossings and security checkpoints to be notified to prevent the unauthorized import of Starlink equipment into the region.

The ministry also urged relevant authorities to remain vigilant and prohibit commercial trading of the devices unless the required legal and regulatory approvals are obtained.

The ministry said immediate enforcement measures are necessary because the retail outlets lack official licensing and the equipment is not registered with the relevant regulatory authorities.

The directive calls for closer monitoring of the market and strict action against unauthorized commercial activity involving Starlink terminals.

FYI

Starlink is a satellite internet service operated by SpaceX that uses a network of low-Earth-orbit satellites to provide internet connectivity. In the Kurdistan Region, the recent expansion of retail sales has raised regulatory questions over licensing, equipment registration, import controls, and the legal framework governing satellite internet services in Iraq.

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