A network operating in Iran smuggles Starlink satellite internet terminals into the country to circumvent government-imposed internet blackouts. The operation, coordinated by a person named Sahand who spoke with the BBC World Service, aims to provide Iranians access to uncensored information during periods when authorities shut down connectivity.
Sahand describes the effort as a way to show "the real picture" to Iranian citizens, framing the distribution as a counter to state censorship. Iran has a history of cutting internet access during moments of political unrest or to suppress dissent. The country also blocks numerous websites and restricts access to global information sources.
Starlink, Elon Musk's satellite internet service, operates independently of ground-based infrastructure, making it difficult for governments to block. This characteristic makes the terminals attractive to activists and those seeking to bypass censorship. However, Iran has worked to jam satellite signals and has threatened severe penalties for possession of unauthorized satellite equipment.
The smuggling operation highlights the tension between governments seeking to control information flow and groups using emerging technology to resist those restrictions. It underscores both the appeal of satellite internet as a censorship-resistance tool and the ongoing cat-and-mouse game between authoritarian authorities and those seeking open communication channels.