Tonga faces internet blackout as cable network compromised and satellite services halted amid crisis response efforts

Parts of Tonga have been without internet for more than two weeks following damage caused by an earthquake to the undersea cable, leaving roughly one-third of the nation's inhabitants in disconnected darkness and causing distress among local businesses.

The ongoing issue was exacerbated when the government mandated the suspension of operations for Starlink, a satellite internet provider, due to an absence of a licensing agreement.

Prime Minister Siaosi ‘Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni informed reporters that without a license, all terminals from Starlink should be disabled as per government orders.

On June 29th, the undersea cable's damage severed connectivity for Vava’u and Haʻapai islands, which are part of the northern archipelagos network. The administration is still awaiting a repair ship to address the submarine cable issue.

The government directed Starlink users in Tonga on July 10th to shut down their services due to regulatory intervention.

Starlink, operated by SpaceX under Elon Musk's leadership, utilizes its extensive satellite network to provide internet access globally but is currently not available in Tonga.

Prior instances of cable damage have also left parts of the nation without internet services; a notable event was the 2022 volcanic eruption that caused widespread disruption. Afterward, Musk provided satellite terminals to aid communication efforts which became increasingly popular in Tonga since then.

The ongoing lack of connectivity has been particularly troubling for hospitality establishments located in the outer islands, with many facing potential closure due to their dependence on internet communications.

Darren Rice, an owner of a resort situated in Haʻapai and dependent on Starlink service, expressed his concerns regarding the dual loss of undersea cable connectivity and satellite services as critical communication tools during emergencies were unavailable.

Island Cruising's Viki Moore highlighted that her company's fleet relies heavily on satellite internet provided by Starlink due to limited alternative options in Tonga.

A petition calling for permission of access to Starlink services garnered more than 1,000 signatures, reflecting public interest and concern over the current communication challenges faced in Tonga.

In response, Prime Minister Sovaleni indicated that steps were being taken with urgency to expedite obtaining a licence for Starlink's operations within the country.