02 July 2024

The Post and Electronic Communications Regulatory Agency (ARPCE), in collaboration with the National Police services, has seized Starlink equipment installed without its authorization in a forest approximately 70km from Sembé.

“This installation is illegal, because the satellite operator Starlink did not obtain from ARPCE the authorization required to operate the Congolese space segment, thus violating current legislation,” said Benjamin Mouandza, director of electronic communications networks and services at ARPCE.

The law requires any operator to obtain authorisation from the regulator before providing satellite services, operating space segments or occupying the orbital position assigned to Congo.

“This requirement is reinforced by the obligation for operators wishing to deploy satellite networks in Congo to carry out frequency coordination beforehand,” said Mouandza. This is a measure which aims to protect Congolese terrestrial networks operating on the same frequency bands against possible harmful interference.