Senegal’s telecommunications regulator has warned against the growing resale of internet services using Starlink-powered ‘community Wi-Fi,’ saying the practice violates national telecom laws and could attract criminal penalties.
This was contained in a statement signed by Dahirou Thiam, Director General of the Telecommunications and Postal Regulatory Authority (ARTP), on March 31, 2026. The regulator noted that many of the informal Wi-Fi networks are powered by Starlink, a satellite internet company owned by Elon Musk, the world’s richest person.
“As part of its mandate to ensure compliance with regulations governing the electronic communications and postal sectors, the Telecommunications and Postal Regulatory Authority (ARTP) has observed that Wi-Fi access points, commonly referred to as ‘community Wi-Fi,’ have been installed in several locations across the country,” the statement, seen by TechMedia Africa, reads in part.
Why Senegal is cracking down on Starlink Wi-Fi resellers
At the core of the issue is the rise of individuals purchasing Starlink terminals and redistributing internet access to surrounding users for a fee, effectively operating as informal internet service providers.
While this model has helped expand connectivity in underserved areas, ARTP says it bypasses licensing requirements designed to regulate quality of service, pricing, infrastructure sharing, and fair competition among licensed telecom operators.
The regulator is also concerned that unregulated reselling could undermine investments by licensed mobile network operators and internet service providers, while creating gaps in consumer protection and national oversight of digital infrastructure.
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How regulators plan to stop the practice
To curb the trend, ARTP is reinforcing existing licensing rules and warning the public that internet provision is a regulated activity.
In its statement, the authority emphasised that only licensed operators are legally permitted to provide internet services in Senegal, adding:
“In response to this situation, the regulatory authority informs the public that providing internet access is subject to obtaining a license or authorization. Only mobile network operators and licensed Internet Service Providers are permitted to offer such services, in accordance with Law No. 2018-28 of December 12, 2018… and Decree No. 2022-1357 of July 7, 2022.”
The regulator also urged individuals engaged in the practice to stop immediately or face enforcement actions.
What the law says about illegal internet resale
Under Senegal’s Electronic Communications Code, operating without proper licensing carries significant penalties.
The ARTP cited Article 181 of the law, which states that:
“any person who carries out activities requiring a license or authorization without obtaining such license or authorization… shall be punished by imprisonment of one (1) to five years and a fine ranging from thirty (30) to sixty (60) million CFA francs.”
The warning signals a tightening regulatory stance as satellite internet adoption grows across Africa, raising new questions about how emerging technologies fit into existing telecom frameworks.
