Elon Musk's satellite broadband provider, Starlink, has agreed to meet the Indian government's data localization and security guidelines, a major development as these requirements have been a sticking point between the two. This comes as Musk's influence in the White House grows with the US President-elect Donald Trump hinting at a significant role for him in his administration. With this agreement, Starlink gains greater leverage for its satellite internet operations in India, as it works towards obtaining a satellite broadband services license from the Department of Telecommunications.
A senior Ukrainian official has confirmed that Elon Musk, the world's richest man, was present during a phone call between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President-elect Donald Trump after the election. Another high-ranking Ukrainian source also revealed that Musk was physically present with Trump during the call, with Zelensky thanking him for his Starlink satellites. While Musk's involvement highlights his close ties to the upcoming US president, it was mainly a greeting conversation with Trump being the main focus.
In a recent call between incoming US President Trump and Ukrainian leader Zelenskyy, billionaire Elon Musk was also present on the line. Musk, who has been mentioned as a potential member of Trump's administration, was thanked by Zelenskyy for his assistance in providing access to the Starlink satellite internet platform. This raises questions about potential conflicts of interest, especially since SpaceX has lucrative government contracts. The call is being closely watched as Trump signals a shift in the US's involvement with Ukraine, and as Biden's administration has sent significant military and economic aid to the country.
The recent allocation of satellite spectrum by the Indian government has sparked a bitter rivalry between two tech tycoons, Mukesh Ambani and Elon Musk. The decision to allocate the spectrum administratively rather than through auction has caused controversy, with Ambani's Reliance Jio initially lobbying for an auction. After Musk's SpaceX entered the fray, the rivalry intensified with Musk taking a direct dig at Ambani over Starlink's potential entry into the Indian market.
The ongoing feud between billionaire investor Elon Musk and Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has resulted in the suspension of the popular social media platform X in Brazil. The judge has ordered a block on the platform, citing the lack of a designated legal representative and the need for hate speech regulations. This ruling could have a significant impact on X's market and revenue, with telecommunications carriers already planning to block access from midnight on Saturday. The feud has also affected Musk's satellite internet provider Starlink, with its bank accounts in Brazil being frozen.
Brazilian regulators have suspended access to Elon Musk's social network, X, in compliance with a court order. The feud between Musk and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has escalated with the platform's failure to meet a deadline to name a legal representative in Brazil. The ruling could result in X losing its largest market and has also led to the freezing of bank accounts for Musk's satellite internet provider, Starlink. To effectively enforce the suspension, telecommunication companies will need to block traffic to the platform and prevent users from accessing it through VPNs.
In a move that echoes Elon Musk's SpaceX's Starlink network, a Chinese state-owned enterprise successfully launches 18 satellites into orbit on Monday. This milestone is part of China's effort to develop its own constellation project, the "Thousand Sails Constellation," which aims to provide global internet coverage. This government-supported initiative comes as a response to the "space hegemony" of the US, following concerns from Chinese military outlets over the potential threat posed by Starlink to China's national interests. These low Earth orbit satellites have considerable military significance and offer the benefits of lower cost and efficient transmission.
Starlink, the satellite internet giant, has expanded its services once again, this time targeting backpackers and travellers. With its new portable Starlink Mini device, which can be taken on the go, the company aims to enhance internet access for those constantly on the move. This new development is expected to provide better connectivity options for people in over 75 countries, elevating their overall travel experience.
The Indian space regulator has granted approval to a joint venture between Reliance Industries' Jio Platforms and Luxembourg-based SES to operate satellites in the country. This move comes as companies like Amazon and Elon Musk's Starlink have been seeking approval to launch high-speed satellite communication services in India. However, further approvals from the department of telecoms are needed for the venture, named Orbit Connect India, to begin operations. Inmarsat and two other companies have also received approval from the Indian space regulator to operate satellites in the country.
Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has announced that the country has granted approval for Elon Musk's Starlink to launch satellite internet services. The move is expected to revolutionize connectivity in the country and provide faster and more reliable internet access, especially for the youth. The President believes that it will open up new opportunities and bring relief to various sectors such as education and fishing. This comes after preliminary approval was granted by the country's regulator following a public consultation process. Musk had recently launched Starlink in Indonesia and announced its availability in Fiji, showcasing his plan to expand the service to remote areas in the region.