Starlink operates in a bent pipe manner. Transmissions from user stations are relayed to a ground station in the region. Inter-satellite links have not been set

Starlink operates in a bent pipe manner. Transmissions from user stations are relayed to a ground station in the region. Inter-satellite links have not been setup. Even services like Iridium that don't need any in country infrastructure have to comply with national laws. A government can block equipment at customs, criminalize use, and jam the frequencies.