Poland slams Musk's Starlink over European roaming exclusion

The Polish government denounced Wednesday its exclusion from new European roaming rules for internet access via Elon Musk's Starlink service, the latest flare-up of tensions between the two since war erupted in neighbouring Ukraine.

The decision means Polish subscribers will have to submit passports each time they use the service outside Poland, and also sign up for more expensive premium plans.

Starlink did not explain why Poland was being excluded from its Europe roaming region in the policy update coming into effect from August 17, but Polish officials suggested it could be linked to Poland's support for Ukraine.

"I do not accept that a major global technology company should treat Poles worse than other Europeans," the country's Digital Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski posted on X -- also owned by Musk's SpaceX.

"I have contacted SpaceX demanding the urgent restoration of equal terms for the company's Polish customers," he said, adding: "I do not accept the answer that "it simply has to be this way'."

Later, speaking to journalists, he said Poland would not cede to "retaliation".

"This may be a game that (US President Donald) Trump and Musk are playing, but not with the Polish government," he added.

On its website, Starlink listed 36 European countries and territories covered by its roaming plan, but added that "Poland is not included in the Europe region above. Accounts registered in Poland are treated as Poland-only for home-country use."

Poland, one of Ukraine's most vocal allies since Russia's invasion more than four years ago, has spent millions to provide Starlink terminals and subscriptions to Ukrainian forces.

"Hey, @elonmusk , big man, stop discriminating Polish users of Starlink or we might re-think paying you $50 million p.a. for your services," Polish foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski posted in X.

It was not clear if the new rules would impact Ukraine subscriptions.

Last year, Sikorski lashed out at Musk over worries that Starlink service in Ukraine could be cut as part of US pressure on Kyiv to sign a peace deal with Moscow.

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