[flotzam]

Just how important are the ground stations in Brazil? (I don't mean the end user terminals.)

If Starlink will basically continue to work well enough if those are seized, it seems like the obvious next steps are going to be crypto/stablecoin payments and a focus on small form factor terminals like Starlink Mini that can bypass customs.

[Sayrus]

And then Starlink users get fined or arrested and Starlink Minis get seized. Also how good does it look for an international company to sell as evading customs and imports taxes.

Crypto and stablecoin don't make the physical reality of owning such a device disappear.

[flotzam]

They probably wouldn't sell terminals straight to Brazilian customers but rely on resale to keep their hands clean.

I'm not sure how feasible first finding and then fining/arresting owners would be. The proposed VPN fines were seen as outrageously disproportionate.

[diegoholiveira]

Starlink is offering free service to current customers until they can access their bank accounts again.

[diegoholiveira]

> Just how important are the ground stations in Brazil?

Is used by the military, hospitals and schools on remote places on the amazon rainforest.

[matheusmoreira]

Hilariously, the brazilian military published a report on the impact of Starlink's blocking to their operations. One would think this would get them to fund a proper space program.

[pyrale]

This is a path that ends with Starlink being unable to respect the law in other jurisdictions, and getting progressively banned elsewhere, or Musk getting jailed on foreign trips like the Telegram CEO.

There is a reason why legit companies tend to avoid using the same tools and methods as drug cartels.