Elon Musk’s Starlink Stops Pre-Booking In India After Centre’s DoT Advised Users To Not Subscribe

Starlink registered its business in India earlier this month and was in process to apply for licenses in the country.

New Delhi: Starlink, a satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk-owned SpaceX, has stopped pre-orders in India after the Centre’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) warned citizens to not register for it as the company is yet to acquire a license. 

Last week, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) took to Twitter and wrote: “It is noticed that M/s Starlink has started pre-selling/booking of satellite based Internet Services in India without any license/authorization. Public is advised not to subscribe to Starlink services being advertised”.

“Accordingly, the Government of India has asked the company to comply with Indian regulatory framework for rendering the satellite based communication services and refrain from booking/rendering the satellite internet services in India with immediate effect,” it added.

Days later, Starlink has stopped the pre-booking of the internet service on its official website.

If a user tries to register, the message on the website reads: “Starlink is not yet available in your area but as we launch more satellites, we continue to expand our coverage area. Please check back for future availability in your area.”

SpaceX began satellite launches in November 2019 and opened its $99 per month beta programme for select customers around a year later.

Starlink registered its business in India earlier this month and was in process to apply for licenses in the country, as per Sanjay Bhargava, the India director for the company.

“Pleased to share that SpaceX now has a 100 per cent owned subsidiary in India. The name is SSCPL -- Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited and the incorporation date is November 1, 2021. We can now start applying for licenses, open bank accounts etc,” Sanjay Bhargava had written in a LinkedIn post, as quoted by news agency IANS.

SpaceX also began aggressively hiring for the Indian market after it appointed Sanjay Bhargava as the country director, IANS had reported.

The company’s satellite broadband services are expected to roll out in India in 2022, however, its availability is subject to regulatory approvals.

(With Agency Inputs)