Starlink Could Face Legal Trouble in India in the Near Future
Saturday, October 9, 2021 | Chimniii Desk
Highlights
- Starlink has not been granted a licence in the nation to operate satellite communication or satcom services.
- Additionally, it is suspected that the corporation, which is owned by Elon Musk's SpaceX, engaged in unethical business practises by allowing prospective consumers to view the terms and conditions only after making a deposit.
- Telecom Watchdog, a non-profit organisation, has sought assistance from the sector regulator (TRAI) in order to bring a criminal prosecution against SpaceX. It alleged that Elon Musk's business is defrauding prospective consumers by convincing them to pre-book space broadband subscriptions in India.
- Notably, this is one of two letters addressed to telecom regulators by the organisation in support of its efforts to take action against Starlink, which is owned by SpaceX. A few days ago, it addressed a similar letter to the DoT secretary, alleging that Starlink is defrauding consumers by accepting pre-orders with a $99 (almost Rs 7,500) deposit for an unlaunched service.
- According to Telecom Watchdog, Starlink has not received a licence in the nation to operate satellite communication or satcom services.
Starlink has not been granted a licence in the nation to operate satellite communication or satcom services. Additionally, it is suspected that the corporation, which is owned by Elon Musk's SpaceX, engaged in unethical business practises by allowing prospective consumers to view the terms and conditions only after making a deposit.
Telecom Watchdog, a non-profit organisation, has sought assistance from the sector regulator (TRAI) in order to bring a criminal prosecution against SpaceX. It alleged that Elon Musk's business is defrauding prospective consumers by convincing them to pre-book space broadband subscriptions in India. On September 29, the non-profit organisation wrote to the secretary of TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India), V Raghunandan, requesting that they take urgent action to halt Starlink's unlawful activities. It requests that the regulator initiate a criminal action against the firm for defrauding under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code+.
Starlink Complaint
Additionally, the organisation requested that the section regulators take the appropriate steps to ensure that consumers who pre-booked are reimbursed with interest. Additionally, it demands that the sector penalise DoT personnel for their inactivity on the matter.
Notably, this is one of two letters addressed to telecom regulators by the organisation in support of its efforts to take action against Starlink, which is owned by SpaceX. A few days ago, it addressed a similar letter to the DoT secretary, alleging that Starlink is defrauding consumers by accepting pre-orders with a $99 (almost Rs 7,500) deposit for an unlaunched service.
According to ET Telecom, the letter claimed that they wanted to draw attention to a severe incident in which consumers were deceived by Starlink Internet Services Limited, a company incorporated in Ireland. According to Telecom Watchdog, Starlink has not received a licence in the nation to operate satellite communication or satcom services. Additionally, it is suspected that the corporation, which is owned by Elon Musk's SpaceX, engaged in unethical business practises by allowing prospective consumers to view the terms and conditions only after making a deposit.
After paying for the service, users are informed that there is no assurance about its introduction in the nation. Additionally, the tariff will be communicated later, it says. For those unfamiliar, Starlink began accepting pre-bookings in India in March and has said that its services would be accessible in the nation by 2022.