Elon Musk-Owned Starlink Offers Satellite-Based Internet Services In India, DoT Issues Warning

The Ministry of Communications stated in a statement that the relevant licenses from the DoT are required for providing satellite-based services in India.

Elon Musk. (File Photo)

New Delhi: The Union government stated on Friday that Elon Musk's 'Starlink Internet Services' is not licenced to deliver satellite-based Internet services in India, as it is being promoted to the public.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications stated in a statement that the relevant licenses from the DoT are required for providing satellite-based services in India.

"It has come to notice that M/s Starlink has started pre-selling/booking of the satellite-based Starlink Internet Services in India. The same is also evident from the website of Starlink (www.starlink.com) wherein satellite-based internet services can be booked by users in Indian territory," reads the official statement.

The government stated that the corporation has begun pre-selling or booking its satellite-based Starlink Internet Services in India, and it was clear from the company's website that people in Indian territory may reserve Starlink internet services.

As a result, the central government has directed the corporation to immediately comply with the Indian regulatory framework for providing satellite-based communication services and to cease booking/providing satellite Internet services in India.

"For rendering satellite-based services in India, requisite license(s) from Department of Telecommunications, Government of India are required. It is hereby informed to the public at large that the said company has not obtained any license/authorization for rendering satellite-based internet services that are being booked on their website," further reads the statement.

According to a report earlier this month by news agency PTI, Starlink was seeking to explore partnerships with telecom providers in the country to extend their broadband services in the country.