Facing Hurdles In India, Elon Musk's Starlink Starts Services In Brazil

Facing roadblocks in starting off in India, billionaire and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's satellite internet firm Starlink has launched its services in Brazil.

Facing Hurdles In India, Elon Musk's Starlink Starts Services In Brazil

New Delhi: Facing roadblocks in starting off in India, billionaire and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's satellite internet firm Starlink has launched its satellite-based broadband services in Brazil, the media has reported. Starlink provides uninterrupted and torrential access to the web, with the company claiming it provides internet speeds between 150 and 500 Mbps under its premium subscription.

Starlink has been granted authorisation to operate in Brazil on Friday and it will see the services owned by Musk offering its broadband-based satellite service throughout Brazil, with exploitation rights running until 2027, said a report published in ZDNet. "It is in the company's interest to provide internet access to customers throughout the Brazilian territory, which will certainly be very opportune for schools, hospitals and other establishments located in rural and remote areas", Emmanoel Campelo, Anatel's interim President was quoted as saying by the media.

Musk-owned Starlink has been asked by the Indian government to stop "booking/rendering the satellite internet service" in the country without a license following which Sanjay Bhargava, the country director for the satellite internet service Starlink announced he quit his post at the company. His announcement coincided with Starlink's announcement that it will refund pre-orders for its devices in India until the company receives a license to operate in the country.

"I have stepped down as Country Director and Chairman of the Board of Starlink India for personal reasons. My last working day was December 31, 2021. I will have no comments for individuals and media so please respect my privacy," Bhargava had earlier written on his LinkedIn page.

Starlink is among the growing numbers of firms launching small satellites as part of a low-Earth orbit network to deliver low-latency broadband internet services around the world, focusing on distant locations where terrestrial internet infrastructure lags.