Musk hails Starlink launch in BD, slams India

Elon Musk has hailed the Starlink launch in Bangladesh while slamming India over regulatory delays that have prevented the satellite internet company from starting commercial operations there.

Musk, CEO of SpaceX, shared a Starlink post on Wednesday (October 7) on X announcing the availability of its mobile service in Bangladesh.

“Starlink mobile is now available in Bangladesh!” Musk wrote.

Starlink said the service is now available through Banglalink Mela, allowing customers in areas without conventional network coverage to use apps for messaging, location sharing and staying connected.

Stephanie Bednarek, SpaceX’s vice president of commercial sales, said the service would connect millions of people in Bangladesh and provide additional connectivity in areas lacking network coverage.

She said the service would support connectivity for coastal communities, businesses in remote areas, families and tourists.

Meanwhile, Musk criticised India over the regulatory delays surrounding Starlink’s market entry.

In a post on X, he said Starlink had licences in 165 countries and questioned why the company had not yet received a licence in India despite complying with the country’s requirements for five years.

Musk also questioned whether Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani was the “real boss” in India, apparently referring to the regulatory hurdles facing Starlink.