Tesla’s plunging sales and exodus of users from X have been joined by dissatisfaction among Starlink satellite system users. Despite growing numbers of Starlink subscribers, some are expressing their frustration with Elon Musk’s political actions and have decided to cease using the service.
Barry Nisbet, a Scottish fiddler, cited Musk’s controversial salute at a Donald Trump inauguration event as a reason for leaving Starlink, despite potential disadvantages. Nisbet stated that he has been uncomfortable with Musk’s role in the US election and his monopolistic tendencies.
While Starlink remains dominant in its sector, European tech enthusiasts are increasingly excited about the emergence of a homegrown alternative. Shares in Eutelsat, the French owner of Starlink rival OneWeb, have surged by 500% following Trump’s Oval Office row with Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Eutelsat’s top executive believes the company could replace Starlink in places like Ukraine within a couple of months.
Viasat, which owns UK network Inmarsat, is also in talks with European governments about replacing Musk’s Starlink. In the UK, Starlink is mainly used by people and businesses in rural areas with limited broadband access.
An installer of Starlink in southern England acknowledged the absence of better alternatives for fast internet access but criticized Musk’s behavior. The majority of users rely on Starlink due to remote locations, but a small minority harbor conspiracist beliefs.
Richard Opie, who lives in Northumberland, was initially grateful for Starlink during the pandemic but now struggles with the political implications of his support for the company. He is uncomfortable with Musk’s association with Trump and his corporate actions.
However, Nisbit’s decision to stop supporting Starlink sparked a debate among users on Facebook. Some expressed solidarity, while others commented that they would jump ship as soon as a rival service becomes available. Others remain committed to Starlink, arguing that it is a necessary tool for remote areas.
Starlink continues to expand in the UK, growing from 13,000 subscribers three years ago to 87,000 last year. The company has implemented an extra “congestion charge” in areas with high demand. Starlink provides ultrafast broadband speeds via satellites, with customers typically paying £75 per month plus £299 for the hardware.
While Starlink’s use in Ukraine has been crucial for battlefield communications, recent tensions suggest the possibility of Ukraine losing access to the system. U.S. negotiators have reportedly threatened Ukraine with losing Starlink, with Musk tweeting that the entire Ukrainian frontline would collapse if the service is turned off.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/mar/16/deeply-uncomfortable-uk-starlink-users-switch-off-over-musks-political-machinations
