OfReg ‘protecting’ public with satellite internet ban
(CNS): OfReg has stopped a number of stores and vendors in the Cayman Islands, including Cost.U.Less and Shop Smart Cayman, from selling satellite internet terminals, claiming that this is to protect consumers. But not everyone agrees with the decision, given the erratic, costly and often poor service provided by existing communication companies.
The utilities regulator has issued cease-and-desist notices to these merchants because, officials said, they didn’t acquire the “authorisation necessary to legally import and re-sell the equipment”.
The terminals connect to Elon Musk’s Starlink, which is not currently licensed to provide services in the Cayman Islands.
“Anyone buying the terminals would find themselves unable to legally put them into service,” OfReg stated in a release. “Our actions ensure that consumers do not end up buying equipment
for a service that is not available.
“OfReg is exploring options for the introduction of satellite-based internet providers in the country to ensure that any such service is correctly licensed, meets consumer expectations, and provides services on the same terms as existing suppliers.”
However, anecdotal evidence across social media suggests that many residents have already purchased the equipment either here in Cayman or overseas and have been using it here.
OfReg has not said when it expects to approve the use of satellite terminals in Cayman or what will happen to residents who continue to import them privately.
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid
What idiot is in charge of OfReg? Get into the 21st century or get off the road.
OfReg is protecting consumers?
How much per month is the Protection Fee?
The “Reg” in their name is for Regulation of the providers, not interference with consumers.
Here are some questions that I would like anyone from OfReg to address:
1. OfReg is the regulatory body and licensing authority for radio stations in the Cayman Islands. How does OfReg regulate SiriusXM satellite radio which is available in the Cayman Islands?
2. Does OfReg have authority to demand that SiriusXM radio receivers in any vehicle imported into the Cayman Islands be removed?
OfReg needs to keep up with current technology and not be a hindrance. As the old saying goes “lead, follow, or get out of the way”. It seems as if OfReg is unable to do either.
It’s not licensed because they won’t offer it here and they won’t offer it here until you allow it to be licensed and they know you won’t allow it to be licensed.
Who you think you fooling OfReg? Unna the same people making CUC hold us by the nuts when it comes to deploying our own solar, so this ISP BS is just another day in Cayman.
Backwards as always. Someone said they scared the satellite signals interferes with their prayer’s radiowaves and I had to walk out the office to burst out laughing. These are people who vote ffs.
“I’m from the government, I’m here to help”
The scariest 7 words on the planet.
Relax. It’s banned from resale, not from use. Makes sense given Starlink isn’t officially support here. You’ll need to configure it and tell it you are in a nearby county for it work. But you can still buy it, just not from a cayman retailer.
In breach of their obligations, the licensed service providers are not providing the levels of coverage required in all areas. OfReg is not forcing them to.
Starlink works and is reliable. It is the only option in some parts, including most of Little Cayman. Many have it in Cayman and it seems it is cheaper, faster and more reliable than the packages available from local providers. OfReg should also note that it is available almost everywhere else around us, except for Cuba. What does that tell you?
I want it on my boat. It is effectively a piece of safety equipment. OfReg says no!
Google, Amazon, and Netflix are not licensed here either. Will OfReg be coming to confiscate my computer to protect me as a consumer? How can they sit back allowing me to access unlicensed and authorized services.
If government wanted to look for ways to lower the cost of living, Starlink is a good place to start. Closing OfReg would help too.
Here we have it folks ,
Blatant proof that OfReg is not only incompetent and ineffective as a regulator, quick to ban any potential competitor in the telecommunications field rather than do a little research on the service and product and how much it can improve the landscape in terms of quality of service and quality of availability of telecommunications on the island !
This action couldn’t paint a clearer picture of how broken the current system is !
Satellite internet would actually provide homes and businesses with better resilience in the face of a weather event and/or outage but since Starlink will not pay for a local license OfReg bans Starlink !
I encourage everyone with as little as a concern about resilience to write to OfReg on the matter pointing out how much non sensical their actions are !
Offreg is costing us more than it’s saving us. Please explain how banning starlink is protecting the consumer? Protecting us from what? Please explain how come satellite phones aren’t banned and they have been used on island for years. Offreg needs to wake up and appreciate that satellite services should be encouraged, not discouraged as they create a very necessary backup service in the event of an emergency. Shame on offreg! They are NOT working for the people.
Bit like the personal massager farce.
Won’t stop me from using the excellent service available.
OfReg will now need new shiny SUV’s for the “protecting us from star link” division. They will drive through neighborhoods looking for illegal dishes.
Imagine if OfReg was this efficient at dealing with the daily robbery by the Cayman based telecomms and electricity and fuel providers
Contrary to what BS OfReg is spewing, this is probably more accurate:
https://starlinkinsider.com/is-starlink-available-in-my-area/
“ Cayman Islands
Starlink does not have a specified launch date for the Cayman Islands.
It appears that local the regulatory body (called OfRef) is currently withholding any talks due to a) wanting to protect local ISPs and b) an inability to regulate SpaceX/Starlink.”
So whose lying?
This absolutely proves who they are protecting and it’s not the consumer. They have most likely been forced by all local internet providers C3, FLOW, Logic and Digicel to block any and all competition.
Same goes for CUC, OfReg’s prime directive is to protect monopolies by keeping competitors out. This excuse is the biggest lie ever to be released since the formation of OfReg!
Interestingly the Starlink website shows the service is available in Jamaica (for nearly 2 years now), other Caribbean islands and many other countries in central and South America also have service. There’s no valid reason the service wouldn’t be available here other than for CIG blocking sale of hardware.
OffReg: Sort out gas prices. Politicians: Do something about cartels and monopolies ripping us off like taxis, CIREBA and CUC. Maybe even some customer protection legislation?
If this is the best you can offer after decades of total inactivity why do you think we say you’re not on our side?