A Cuban identified as "Nico" posted a viral video on Instagram recorded from the roof of his house in Cuba, in which he directly debunks the claim that it is possible to connect to Starlink from a mobile phone without any additional equipment.
The clip emerged as an immediate response to a post by Elon Musk on X in which the founder of SpaceX wrote: "It works in Cuba, it just can't be sold there."
Musk's statement generated expectations among many Cubans about the possibility of accessing satellite service directly from their phones, without an antenna or additional equipment.
"The connection to Starlink satellites from the phone is a lie. Don't misinform people any further," warns Nico in the 34-second video.
The Cuban clearly explains what is truly needed to use an internet connection with Starlink.
"You need to have a device that they sell, which is the Starlink antenna. And you have to have an account, and that account needs to have the service activated."
The most urgent message targets those who are already trying to connect via their mobile phones in Cuba. "Don't waste your data. You'll run out of data thinking you're connected to the Starlink network and you will be left without communication," warned Nico.
The confusion dispelled by the video is likely related to Starlink Direct to Cell technology, which in some countries does allow standard mobile phones to connect to satellites without an external antenna.
However, that mode requires that the user's mobile operator has a commercial agreement with SpaceX —something that does not exist in Cuba— and that the service is enabled in the territory.
The official Starlink coverage map does not include Cuba among the countries where service is available for sale or activation.
The regulatory context on the island further exacerbates the situation. Since April 2025, the Cuban regime declared the use of Starlink illegal without state authorization through the UPTCER, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Communications, invoking Resolution 272/2015 of MINCOM. The announced penalties include fines, confiscation of equipment, and criminal proceedings.
Between April and May 2025, the Cuban Customs seized more than 27 terminals and routers, some hidden inside televisions. The regime even described the introduction of these antennas as part of a "digital aggression" from the United States.
Interest in alternative connectivity options has surged in Cuba, where ETECSA holds the state monopoly on telecommunications with a concession extended until 2036, and where frequent internet outages linked to chronic blackouts are a constant issue.
"So don't lie to people, it's a lie. You can't connect to Starlink in Cuba with a phone," Nico concluded in his video.
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