Court Overturns Starlink Ban: A "Game Changer" for Rural Papua New Guinea

The Papua New Guinea National Court has overturned a ban on Starlink, paved by a ruling that labeled the Ombudsman Commission’s interference as an unconstitutional exercise of power.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 29, 2026, 7:16 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

Judicial Rebuke of the Ombudsman Commission

The ban, which began in December 2025, was initiated by the Ombudsman Commission, which argued that existing regulations were inadequate to manage risks to public safety. However, Judge Susan Purdon-Sully issued a stinging criticism of the commission's actions.

The Ruling: The judge found no evidence of corruption or breaches of the leadership code, determining the Ombudsman’s concerns were purely administrative.

Unconstitutional Power: The court ruled that the directive to halt Starlink's licensing was an "unconstitutional exercise of power," effectively overriding the commission's block.

Lessons from Tropical Cyclone Maila

The court's decision arrived just weeks after Tropical Cyclone Maila, a Category 5 storm, devastated coastal hamlets and provinces across PNG. The disaster highlighted the critical vulnerability of traditional VHF radio and land-based infrastructure.