This year alone, subscription costs are expected to exceed PLN 77 million.
Key figures and distribution
- 24,560 Starlink terminals have been procured since 2022 – 19,560 under the previous government, and 5,000 at the end of 2024.
- Poland pays only for “actively used” terminals, as reported by Ukraine.
- About 1,000 Starlink units are earmarked for domestic Polish needs.
All expenses are covered through the Relief Fund established under legislation to support Ukrainians during the war.
According to the data, the service fees for Starlink are budget-funded. The Institute of Communications (IŁ-PIB) keeps a detailed inventory of serial numbers and works closely with Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation to prevent any misuse.
Officials say no Poland-provided Starlinks have appeared for sale online.
SpaceX’s Starlink constellation, with over 6,700 active satellites, is owned by Elon Musk.
When Musk hinted he could shut down Starlink for Ukraine, Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski revealed Poland’s annual $50 million contribution.
Musk fired back, calling Sikorski a “small man” who should “be quiet,” arguing Warsaw covers only a fraction of the total cost and that there is no viable replacement for his satellite service.
(jh)
Source: PAP