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.
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Can we just fire this bunch of clowns already!!
When are we going to get people in OfReg who work for US the people of the Cayman Islands and not the utilities? With Solar they limit us with telecoms they limit us.
Let’s fire these idiots already!!!
Not any time soon will Starlink be approved. There is a new submarine cable a comin that will need to be ‘paid’ for unna get it now?
The free market always finds a way. Stop getting in the way.
I have 3 starlink satalites for my businesses. They are amazing. if anything goes wrong, they diagnose it in minutes and send you the parts free of charge. They also give you a months free service when things go wrong. I would like the local companies to even answer the phone to assist with problems, let alone fix anything. Starlink is coming out with cell phones soon also. I’ll be replacing all the phones in my business with them. I’m done with the local companies as soon I can be. The local companies are just awful.
Protecting big businesses and making sure consumers continue to be ripped off, that’s the purpose of OffReg.
OffReg really think people can’t see through their BS. let’s see if they’re going to raid people homes and remove the hardware once people do the workaround to get it working here.
Going to require more new Chevy Silverados first
I wish OfReg would protect me as a consumer from Flow’s abysmal customer service. Getting Flow to respond to emails or phone calls is pathetic.
More likely protecting the telecommunications provider. If I purchased a Chinese made cellular phone from a seller on Facebook, and it doesn’t work. Will OfReg protect me also and assist me in getting my hard owned money back.
Just asking.
I wish government would shut ofreg down
Same for Logic! We need Starlink! Enough of the monopolies!
They have Starlink in Bermuda and Bahamas. Why not here?
Let’s not even get me started with Flow. Then they offer new plans and their old plans are crap.
Ridiculous to criticize OfReg. They are doing their part to support the economy. Just the sales of new pick up trucks and the gas to fuel them is a massive contribution to GDP.
Hey now, those Silverados are critical for regulation!
supporting the economy by banning a service and product people want? Makes sense.
Come on, if people start using satellite internet how are they going to pocket millions for the installation of a new underwater cable? And what about the prices they charge? Imagine CUC if people could beam electricity from the sky… Oh wait, that’s solar energy, a similar problem…
Actually, DARPA have announced they can beam electricity around the planet to fight future wars, even beam power to Earth from the moon. The future is here, but thanks to CUC and brain dead leadership, we will be burning fossil fuels for next 25 years.
Starlink is available in Jamaica, so why not here?
I use Starlink in a remote rural area in the US
It is far superior to other options
1:50, Bahamas & Bermuda too.
Simple reason is that we have a number of high powered Caymanians who make a massive amount of money by keeping the current system in place.
Similar to Caymanians having economic interests in CUC stocks.
Missa Humpreys how hurtful of youse not to explain what you mean by “massive amounts of money”? come on now half -truths don’t tell a full story
From my research, the Starlink devices are geographically locked and wouldn’t work here. I could be wrong… I hope I’m wrong. I would love to have their service as a backup to my existing Internet service.
The devices are not locked. The dishes can access the satellites anywhere there is satellite cover, which is practically global. However, your ability to access the signal is based on your Starlink account. You cannot set up a Starlink account showing ypur device as being based in Cayman as Starlink isn’t licenced here – I am sure the number of subscribers is t enough to make it worthwhile for Starlink to go through the process and costs. However, you can have “roam” accounts with Starlink that provide regional or even global cover. Those accounts can use a Starlink dish to access the network anywhere in the region that the account covers. So you could register a Starlink device at a US address and open a roam account and it will work just fine in Cayman.
And how much does this roam account cost per month?
$150-200 USD. And they recently upgraded speeds, some local users are getting 400MBs now. It’s pretty messed up to see a govt entity siding with local businesses to fight against fair competition and leave us with only choices in our local monopoly. Some people have them as backups for when Hurricanes take down local ISPs and need/want communication.
As far as the Great Musk knows, Cayman is either one huge boat or a giant RV.
Incompetence at its finest.
Ofreg should be shut down.
What a bunch of clowns.
How many millions have been wasted on them ?
How mamy new Chevy Silverados?!
WASTED!!
This was not even funny. No light, water, fuel, or internet service in the Cayman Islands is even close to good. Offreg is in place to enforce entrenched interests and not to protect the public. They are all ripping off the consumer and laughing all the way to the bank, but ultimately, they will lose.
Wasn’t the Doctors Express raid preceded by a “cease and desist” letter? Ofreg might want to step carefully, particularly given the nebulous legal basis for their assertion.
The shocking point is that the law enforcement agencies who raided Doctor’s Express were carrying firearms! Does this not worry anyone. CBC power has gone to their head and deleted the last of their intelligence.
Your last sentence is incorrect, there was never any intelligence to begin with.
OffReg only ever do the bidding of those organizations that have a self interest. On this occasion it’s the telecomm providers. They act on behalf of and in coordination with the various service providers at their behest and with support from CIG. How can such a body be by political appointment? It’s laughable.
People are being far too hard on poor old Ofreg. Clearly they issued the cease and desist order in order to focus public attention on the fact that Starlink offers a lower cost more reliable service – and they have been totally successful in making that fact known to Cayman. Well done Ofreg!
Doctors Express should start importing them.
CNS – is there any way that you can find out if AwfulReg specified which section of the Act/Regulations they were relying on as authority for their highly suspect ‘cease and desist from offering consumers lower cost alternatives’ edict?
CNS: I’ll send a question.
If, (and it is a big if), Ofreg’s objective was to alert consumers about potential problems with activating Starlink locally then their job has been done with all of the media attention their action achieved. It is therefore safe for them to congratulate themselves and to cancel the highly suspect ‘cease and desist’ missive.
If on the other hand their action was about protecting the cartels offering crap service at high prices, then they will continue to try to frustrate as many consumers as possible.
Nothing will improve service more than real competition. Ofreg’s mission should be to create as much competition as possible. It is mind numbing to think that they would attempt to shut down a service that competes on price with the local providers. They should issue a license for Starlink immediately, and allow consumers to use roaming accounts immediately. People need to express their disapproval with this action by contacting their government representative. If 2000 people call up politicians, then it is quite likely Starlink will be up and running in no time.