Elon Musk's Starlink Handed Notice BY TRAI, Asked Not To Do Business Without License: Report

Elon Musk's satellite internet service has been slapped with a new notice by TRAI that has asked Starlink not to solicit any telecom business or collect related fees, without necessary authorisations.

Elon Musk's Starlink Handed Notice BY TRAI, Asked Not To Do Business Without License

New Delhi: SpaceX boss Elon Musk's satellite internet service has been slapped with a new notice by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). TRAI has asked Starlink not to solicit any telecom business or collect related fees, sans necessary authorisations, the media has reported.

In a letter sent to the company, according to an Economic Times report, TRAI said Musk's Starlink Internet Services should “desist from soliciting telecom business and collecting related fees” as it did not have the required authorisations for it. This comes after days after the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) warned citizens to not register for it as the company is yet to acquire a license.

“Tariff for regulatory purpose has been defined as rates and related conditions at which telecom services within and outside India may be provided, including deposits, installation fees, rentals and any other related fees or service charge,” the regulatory body noted in its letter, added the ET report.

Earlier in November, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) took to Twitter and asked citizens not to subscribe to Starlink services: “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”.

Days after the DoT notice, Musk's Starlink stopped the pre-booking of the internet service on its official website. Now, 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 of the company.