Authorities in Uzbekistan have opened a criminal case against a driver who attempted to bring a Starlink satellite terminal into the country without declaring it. The device was discovered in the boot of a Mercedes-Benz vehicle and has since been confiscated for investigation, according to the Samarkand regional customs office.
Officials said the driver failed to include the equipment, valued at around 6 mln soums ($494), in the customs declaration. The case is being investigated under national laws covering violations of customs regulations.
The import ban is linked to the use of regulated radio frequencies in Uzbekistan. Equipment such as Starlink terminals requires certification from the electromagnetic compatibility service and formal agreements with local operators. Without approval, such devices are considered illegal communication tools and may interfere with state and military networks.
The official launch of Starlink services in Uzbekistan, operated by Elon Musk’s company, has been postponed until 2026. Meanwhile, neighbouring Kazakhstan is moving ahead with plans to expand connectivity in border regions using its own infrastructure.
