Russia is set to fine individuals and companies using Western satellite internet services like SpaceX's Starlink.
While subscribing to SpaceX's Starlink remains technically possible in Russia, new penalties loom. According to the Russian edition of Popular Mechanics, the State Duma—Russia's lower house of parliament—proposes fines of 10,000 to 30,000 rubles (roughly $110 to $430) for individuals and 500,000 to 1 million rubles (about $5,500 to $11,000) for legal entities accessing internet via Western satellite providers.
Lawmakers argue that such services undermine Russia's systems for monitoring internet and mobile communications. Under strict national controls, all Russian internet traffic must route through approved domestic providers.
SpaceX's Starlink leads the pack with plans for at least 12,000 satellites to deliver global high-speed internet. This bill appears to target Starlink specifically, unsurprising given Roscosmos head Dmitry Rogozin's vocal rivalry. Rogozin has slammed NASA and the U.S. Department of Defense for funding SpaceX via contracts, viewing Starlink as a tool for U.S. military interests. He dismissed claims of serving remote areas as 'nonsense.'
The legislation extends beyond SpaceX. Amazon's Project Kuiper and OneWeb—recently rescued from bankruptcy with 650 satellites planned—are also in scope. OneWeb notably depends on Russian Soyuz rockets for launches, including some slated for this year, bolstering Russia's launch sector.
Meanwhile, Russia is developing its own high-speed satellite internet fleet, 'Sphere,' potentially operational by 2024.
