20250311 Starlink Musk montage

Elon Musk, the world's richest man and a giant force in telecoms, is also one of the most politically influential people on the planet, raising questions for small island nations like Palau, seen above, as they consider using his Starlink service to improve their connectivity. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by AP, Getty Images and Reuters)

Musk's Starlink expansion across the Pacific sparks enthusiasm -- and concern

Deals get remote islanders online, but fears linger over stranded investment, data security

SYDNEY/PALAU -- As Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service makes global geopolitical headlines, the tiny Pacific country of Niue has sent its nearly 2,000 residents and Musk a strong alert of its own: Starlink is illegal on the island, and operating it comes with penalties including a three-month stay in Niue's eight-cell prison.

On the raised coral atoll that lies 2,500 kilometers northeast of New Zealand, citizens like Glen Jackson have been logging into the giant satellite constellation launched by the world's richest man six years ago that now numbers more than three satellites for every Niue islander.

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