- Despite a near‑total communications blackout, some Iranians are managing to reach the internet via Starlink satellite service.
- Access remains patchy and limited, raising questions about cost, legality and risks amid escalating protests.
What happened: Starlink still reachable amid nationwide shutdown
Some Iranians are continuing to access the internet using Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite broadband service despite the Iranian government’s near‑complete blackout of conventional internet services. The blackout, which began on 8 January 2026, has slashed non‑satellite connectivity to about 1% of normal levels, affecting fibre‑optic and mobile networks across the country.
According to three people inside Iran who spoke to Reuters, Starlink — a constellation of low‑Earth‑orbit satellites operated by SpaceX — remains functional in some areas, particularly in border regions, even though Iran has banned the technology. Alp Toker, founder of internet monitoring group NetBlocks, told Reuters that the satellite service “is patchy, but still there,” underscoring that connectivity varies by location and interference.
Starlink’s use in Iran mirrors patterns from other geopolitical flashpoints such as Ukraine, Myanmar and Sudan, where satellite broadband has been used to circumvent state‑imposed internet blackouts. The service is expensive — standard terminals cost several hundred dollars plus monthly fees — meaning many Iranians cannot afford legal access.
Iranian authorities have reportedly attempted to disrupt satellite signals with jamming, making reliable connectivity difficult even for users with terminals. Starlink is not licensed to operate in Iran, and the government has passed laws imposing severe penalties for use or distribution of the unapproved technology.
Why it’s important
The partial use of Starlink in Iran highlights a growing tension between state censorship and efforts to maintain communications in repressive environments. Governments sometimes shut down domestic internet access during protests or conflict to control information flows and suppress dissent, leaving citizens isolated.
Satellite broadband services such as Starlink offer an alternative route to connectivity, but they also raise thorny issues. Affordability and availability limit widespread adoption in countries with deep economic distress. Meanwhile, the legality of using unlicensed satellite services in jurisdictions that ban them exposes users to potential criminal penalties.
There are also security and privacy concerns. Satellite communications can be vulnerable to jamming, interception, and disruption — as reported in Iran — and reliance on privately controlled infrastructure shifts control of access to global corporations.
Analysts have debated whether satellite internet truly empowers citizens or simply provides a temporary workaround to government control without addressing underlying political or societal fractures. Observers note that responses to internet shutdowns must balance human rights to information and communication with national security claims made by states imposing blackouts.
As the situation in Iran unfolds — with protests continuing, widespread violence reported and diplomatic tensions rising — the evolving dynamic of internet control and satellite bypassing underscores both the importance and limitations of technology in crisis settings.
Also read: FCC approves SpaceX plan to deploy 7,500 more Starlink satellites
Also read: Starlink brings direct-to-cell satellite to Ukraine for smartphone use
