Cook Islands residents using New Zealand’s Starlink service will lose their signal if they don’t switch to the new local Starlink plan by mid-December, according to Telecommunications Regulator Bernard Hill.

The shift comes after Starlink’s recent full licensing in the Cook Islands, allowing the company to offer a tailored local service with significantly lower rates than elsewhere in the Pacific.

“Starlink looks as if it’s going to, by sort of middle of December, turn off people using the New Zealand service in Cook Islands,” Hill said.

“No one’s forcing them. It’s just that you won’t get signal if you haven’t shifted to the cheaper price and to the local service.”

The new local Starlink plan called Lite, priced at $59 monthly, offers speeds of 100 to 150 Mbps and is the cheapest Starlink option across the Pacific region.

Hill pointed out that the plan is specifically designed around residential use in the Cook Islands.

“It’s cheaper than New Zealand, cheaper than Australia, cheaper than all of the Pacific Islands,” he said.

Hill emphasized that switching to the local service is a commercial decision for users, not a mandate.

But he encouraged people to consider the local Starlink plan as it could bring substantial savings compared to New Zealand rates, particularly in light of the forthcoming signal cut-off.

While Starlink’s low-cost plan may be ideal for many residents, Hill also recommended that users look at other local options, such as Vodafone’s fiber network, Kuk I Net, and Vakanet.

These providers offer alternatives that may suit individual needs, especially considering Starlink’s higher power consumption.

“People have to remember that with the Starlink service, you also have a power requirement, and it’s pretty juicy when it comes to the power use,” Hill said adding that local services generally consume less power and may ultimately be more economical.

The transition marks a new phase for internet services in the Cook Islands, as Hill, who has long advocated for competitive pricing, acknowledged the significant improvements Starlink’s arrival has already brought to local connectivity.

However, he pointed out that local providers offer the added benefit of in-person customer support, unlike Starlink’s remote-only service.

Last week, Starlink agent Te Tuhi Kelly, leader of the Progressive Party, disclosed some insights on the situation after an exchange with Starlink support, revealing the complexities Cook Islands residents will soon face as they transition to the new service structure.

Kelly contacted Starlink for clarification of the use of the Roam Unlimited plan in the Cook Islands. He received confirmation that New Zealand-registered Starlink kits used in the Cook Islands would need to be cancelled and reactivated under a Cook Islands address.