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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OffReg has requirement to protect the public and not to protect Flow and Digicel and Logic. Given the deteriorating state of the undersea cable that connects these islands to the internet, you would think having satellite redundancy for internet connectivity would be a major priority for OffReg. Every day that passes and they do not approve Starlink, is another day OffReg is negligent in the exercise of its duties.
Here is an idea – permanently close Ofreg – take the millions per year that it is sucking from our pockets and give everyone a free Starlink dish – at least then we would have something that works for us.
Ofreg – working hard to ensure that life in Cayman remains as technologically backward and expensive as possible….
I use an Iridium Satphone on my boat when offshore and travelling between the islands. Is that illegal? I might need some of that good old Offreg protection too. Same goes for my Garmin InReach device who I have a S&R contract with. I pay for a Satellite connection with them. Even more Offreg protection needed?
They are absolutely right protecting someone in the public but not the ones they need to protect but certain special interest that serve their interest so technically they are not lying!
I might be missing something, but if you bought something off a supplier that didn’t work here wouldn’t you just return the item and get your money back? No-one is going to last in business selling things that you can’t use. I was looking at this for a DR back up, especially during hurricane season, guess I will have to can that idea.
@CNS Have a read of this
https://www.gov.ky/content/published/api/v1.1/assets/CONT991EB1B6A94D45AAA8129CA90E708828/native/2020-Legislation-Gazette-Supplements-157.pdf?channelToken=c915417e96ad49e2bcda2e4d22158c40
Anyone that buys a Starlink system locally knows that they cannot directly subscribe with a Cayman address, and some configuration is necessary. So the assertion that OfReg is “protecting” consumers is bogus. I just love conversations where both sides fully know one side is not telling the truth.
If Ofreg was actually interested in warning consumers about issues in activating Starlink systems in Cayman they could have put out public service announcements or required retailers to issue warnings. Banning the local sale of these devices is aimed at ensuring that the quality of local services remains poor and rubbish service providers reap unearned profits.
Those that were here 25 years ago remember when Cable & Wireless blocked voice-over-internet services such as Skype, which was essentially free versus the $$$ per minute long distance charges from C&W.
Please sirs, permission to live in 2024!!!
I work at a Big Four accounting firm. We have several satellite phones that we have available if local service goes down, such as in the case of a hurricane.
Is OfReg going to ban that?
How is Starlink any different than the Dish Network service I currently use for television in Cayman? Dish Network does NOT provide direct service to Cayman; however, you can subscribe indirectly through several retailers (who in turn subscribe directly with a US address).
Ofreg takes no action against existing internet service providers who either provide no service or at best crap service to many parts of these islands. However, it is happy to take action to prevent consumers from accessing reliable internet services.
What LEGAL authority does OfReg have to issue a “cease and desist” order to a retailer?
CNS – thank you for publishing this very illuminating article!
Ofreg has published an email address to which complaints regarding their anti-consumer activities can be sent. However, don’t expect Ofreg to provide any reply unless you copy the maladministration unit of the office of the Ombudsman, and/or Her Excellency the Governor
Complaints regarding OfRegs incompetence and anti-consumer activities can be sent here:
complaints@ofreg.ky
The maladministration complaint form for the Office of the Ombudsman is located here:
https://ombudsman.ky/images/pdf/Maladministration_Complaint_Intake_Form_Fillable.pdf
Many parts of Cayman have no access to reliable highspeed internet at any price. Ofreg is determined to ensure that this remains the case.
Ofreg is determined to ensure that Starlink is not available and that consumers have no choice but to accept the crap that they currently license – they don’t give a flying f%^*& about consumers.
Hey OfReg – my iPhone has satellite based GPS – are you going to ban that too in the name of ‘protecting consumers’?
Ofreg needs to report itself for anti-competitive behaviour that is harming consumers. But then, historically it has never taken any action to benefit consumers. Its only function is to protect monopolies that fleece consumers.
Dear OfReg,
I purchased locally a second-hand truck with Sirius satellite radio and satellite GPS installed and I also purchased a sat phone for use in emergencies – I presume that you will ban the import of US vehicles and sat phones next.
Ofreg – the Neanderthal of regulatory development
Hopefully the stores selling the Starlink systems will challenge OfReg as there is nothing in legislation that allows them to enforce any cease and desist order. It is all a bluff to protect OfReg and the cartels that they work for. Take a look at Part 13 of the Act – no power to force stores who are not licensees to ‘cease and desist’
https://legislation.gov.ky/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/2016/2016-0049/UtilityRegulationandCompetitionAct_2024%20Revision.pdf
Go to Best Buy in Miami – readily available
As bad as our providers are, and they are terrible, I’d still rather give my money to Flow and Digicel than to the abhorrent Musk.
Why would I, a young caymanian qualified in my field, continue to sacrifice for economic zone 17? Our so called leaders see our country as no more than something to use to make money. They aspire to be the middle men of history. They have a complete inability to inspire anything and anyone. Then when sh%$ hits the fan they will throw their hands in the air and beg young people to pick up the slack to pay their pensions.
This is problem with Governments and government owned companies. There is considerable effort placed on simply placing themselves in the middle of something and collecting license fees while offering nothing. What does Ofreg offer to the people? Can we really say that we understand or even see any benefits to Ofreg with all these ‘regulations’?
Someone has created something which could benefit persons on the island and the first thing that happens is for big daddy government to tell us “No, its not good for you”. Let’s face it, we all know that if something like Starlink takes off and provides actual competition, MONEY is the only thing they are worried about losing. I guarantee you, ofreg couldn’t explain the technology they are so desperate to prevent from operating ‘legally’.
They couldn’t be assed with our well-being. If Government really cared about our well-being they would be moving much differently, consequences for the companies that hire people without the proper paperwork. But we will never see that come to light because its a big club of business owners who influence the hall monitors of our government to ignore them.
Government produces nothing. They create nothing. This entire concept that they somehow ‘create’ the environment for the economy to thrive is absolute rubbish. Nor do they actual protect anything other than their beloved GDP which is nothing more than a fake number on a screen.
Property prices are astronomical and out of reach for the majority of the citizens of the island. Rental prices are out of control, cost of living is out of control. But every administration and economist will sit down and spill the same rubbish that government creates the environment on which we thrive.
Look at what these old heads have managed our country into. We have no self reliance, we produce nothing and sell nothing. We are simply economic zone 17, or 18 or 20 in the world. Nothing more. We aren’t even in control of our own interest rates or finances as the US controls that for us.
Since the onset of moron governance in the late 1980s onwards, our Governments know only two speeds…no regulation or stupid over-regulation. The latter is prevalent and adds unnecessary costs to life in Cayman!!
OfReg is a Lodge clique which protects its colleague Lodge clique named FLOW!!
What idiot is in charge of OfReg? Get into the 21st century or get off the road.
OFFREG needs to contact CUC and ask them why my utilities bill has gone up by almost CI$100 since I paid June’s bill. Could it be because they were not allowed to implement the increase they were seeking to do awhile back? Looks to me like they have quadrupled it. Mr. CEO please investigate! These people are trying to wipe us out!.
Ofregs board are politically appointees – nuff said
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.
Replace the first word (OfReg) with the word ‘Cayman’and you nailed it.
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.
This is like legalizing ganja without allowing local production.
And the funny thing is, I can see this being the case in 2044.
It’s just a piece of tech-equipment.. not different from a TV or a computer. The connection we the consumer make to the satellite is not different from when we connect to Netflix with our TV or the internet with our computer. Off Reg has stepped outside the scope of its authority. It clearly has no authority to stop us buying a tv or a computer… and so no authority to stop us buying the tech-equipment to connect to the satellite.
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.
My $89 package from Logic is way faster than Starlink and also way more reliable.
I think you need to do some research before you make statements that are simply not true.
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?
Is there any legal action the public can take? May be one step forward in getting out of the OfReg, Digicel, Flow chokehold.
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?