WILLEMSTAD – The Regulatory Authority Curaçao (RAC) has emphasized that no final decision has been made regarding Starlink's application to provide commercial internet services on the island, responding to recent reports and speculation suggesting that approval of the satellite internet provider is already a certainty.
According to the regulator, Starlink's concession application is currently in an advanced stage of review, but the formal decision-making process has not yet been completed.
RAC stressed that every concession request undergoes a thorough evaluation under Curaçao's legal and regulatory framework. The assessment includes technical, legal, operational, and national interest considerations before any recommendation or decision can be made.
Formal Review Still Underway
The authority noted that any recommendation it may provide to the responsible minister represents only one step in the overall approval process.
"As long as the process has not been fully completed, no concession has been granted," RAC indicated in its statement.
The regulator further clarified that Starlink is not authorized to offer commercial services in Curaçao until the concession process has been finalized and all necessary approvals have been issued.
RAC also warned that the purchase of Starlink equipment or subscriptions does not mean the service has been officially approved or authorized for commercial operation on the island.
Growing Public Interest
The clarification comes amid increasing public interest in the potential arrival of Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by SpaceX. The company provides broadband internet through a network of low-Earth orbit satellites and has expanded rapidly across numerous countries and territories.
In Curaçao, the prospect of Starlink's entry into the market has generated considerable discussion among consumers and businesses, particularly regarding the potential impact on internet connectivity, competition, and telecommunications services.
Earlier reports had indicated that RAC expected to provide greater clarity regarding Starlink's application during the first half of June.
Decision Still Pending
For now, however, the regulator is urging the public not to assume that approval has already been granted.
The authority reiterated that the application remains under review and that a final decision will only be known once the formal concession process has been completed and the relevant authorities have taken a definitive position on the request.
Until then, RAC says, any suggestion that Starlink has already received permission to operate commercially in Curaçao is premature.