Frankfurt (Germany), 12 Aug. (LaPresse) – “I do not accept that a global technology company should treat Poles worse than other Europeans.” Poland’s Minister for Digital Affairs, Krzysztof Gawkowski, wrote this on X, criticising SpaceX and its founder Elon Musk for the new terms and conditions imposed on Polish users of Starlink Roam. According to Gawkowski, from 17 August, Polish customers of the service will be subject to more restrictive conditions than users in other European countries, with additional formalities, an obligation to report their movements and document checks. “If SpaceX and Elon Musk want to operate in Poland, tap into the Polish market and profit from Polish customers, they must treat them fairly and on equal terms,” the minister stated. Gawkowski has called on SpaceX to “urgently” restore equal terms for Polish customers and, should the new rules be due to “local regulatory requirements”, has asked for the specific provisions underpinning the decision to be outlined. “Generic explanations are not enough,” he emphasised. “The Polish market is not a second-class market. Polish customers are not second-class customers,” the minister concluded, arguing that the government must take action against any form of unfair treatment of consumers or market distortion.
Poland, Warsaw against Musk: ‘Starlink is excluding us from EU roaming’
Frankfurt (Germany), 12 Aug. (LaPresse) – “I do not accept that a global technology company should treat Poles worse than other Europeans.” Poland’s Minister for Digital Affairs, Krzysztof Gawkowski, wrote this on X, criticising SpaceX and its founder Elon Musk for the new terms and conditions imposed on Polish users of Starlink Roam. According to Gawkowski, from 17 August, Polish customers of the service will be subject to more restrictive conditions than users in other European countries, with additional formalities, an obligation to report their movements and document checks. “If SpaceX and Elon Musk want to operate in Poland, tap into the Polish market and profit from Polish customers, they must treat them fairly and on equal terms,” the minister stated. Gawkowski has called on SpaceX to “urgently” restore equal terms for Polish customers and, should the new rules be due to “local regulatory requirements”, has asked for the specific provisions underpinning the decision to be outlined. “Generic explanations are not enough,” he emphasised. “The Polish market is not a second-class market. Polish customers are not second-class customers,” the minister concluded, arguing that the government must take action against any form of unfair treatment of consumers or market distortion.