LNP – Licence ready, Elon Musk’s Starlink yet to import devices to start operation

Despite Elon Musk’s Starlink, the satellite unit of SpaceX, being granted licence to operate in Sri Lanka, the organization is yet to apply for the import of devices to be used in connecting to the service, a top source said.

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) officially issued a telecommunications service provider licence to Starlink Lanka (Private) Limited in August, this year.

It enables Starlink to offer satellite broadband services in Sri Lanka. Then President Ranil Wickremesinghe and businessman Elon Musk met in Indonesia during the 10th World Water Forum earlier and discussed it.

However, a top source from TRCSL said that Starlink had not yet taken action to import connecting devices to be installed for the benefit of customers intending to use the service.

According to the source, it triggers concerns whether Starlink is concerned about Sri Lanka’s customs regulations governing the import of such items.

“We have not heard back from them. We informed them that they can apply now for the import of necessary tools or devices,” the source said.

Parliament has also passed an amendment to the telecom regulatory law allowing Starlink to be licenced.