Papua New Guinea’s connectivity debate has intensified following renewed warnings from business leaders that restrictions on Starlink terminal imports are deepening the country’s digital divide and holding back economic participation.
The Post-Courier reported that the Lae Chamber of Commerce and Industry had raised concerns that Papua New Guinea is “falling behind in the digital age due to unreliable and costly data connectivity”. The ABC also reported that businesses and public services have faced disruption as a result of the continued ban, with organisations in regional areas particularly exposed.
The National Information and Communications Technology Authority has reinforced that the “importation of STARLINK terminal kits into PNG is still prohibited indefinitely”, a position that keeps satellite-based consumer connectivity outside the formal market while regulators consider policy and licensing issues.
The impact is being felt at a time when some of the country’s largest retailers and service providers are trying to expand online. Remington Group, for example, announced plans to establish an e-commerce store, stating it would allow customers across Papua New Guinea to “buy affordable technology products online”.
The contrast between private sector digital ambition and the constraints of infrastructure has become harder to ignore. For businesses outside Port Moresby and Lae, connectivity is not simply a convenience. It affects the ability to process payments, manage inventory, communicate with suppliers, train staff and engage customers.
Business leaders argue that the current situation also has competitiveness implications. Regional neighbours have moved rapidly to expand broadband access and reduce costs, while Papua New Guinea continues to struggle with high prices and inconsistent service.
For government agencies, the stakes include education delivery, health referrals, disaster response and basic administration. For companies, the stakes are immediate: productivity, customer trust and the ability to participate in modern supply chains.
While the regulator’s position signals a desire to manage the market carefully, business groups have increasingly called for a more urgent pathway that balances oversight with economic necessity.
As one chamber put it, the country risks losing time in an era where connectivity increasingly determines whether businesses can scale, innovate and compete.
