Disputes surrounding Elon Musk's Starlink continue, particularly concerning the United States. Musk frequently makes strong statements regarding India, to which India has also responded. However, India is not the only country where the Starlink service is unavailable.
There are numerous countries, from China to Russia, where the Starlink service is banned, and permission is pending in many others. In this context, Elon Musk's statements focusing solely on India have surprised many.
Starlink has provided information on its service availability through an official portal that includes a global map. On this map, the company indicates where the service operates, where it will soon launch, and where it is already blocked.
According to the Starlink portal data, the service is available in countries such as Canada, the USA, Brazil, Sweden, London, and Austria. In India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Iran, approval from local authorities is expected, after which the Starlink service should begin operating shortly.
Countries where the Starlink service is blocked include China, Russia, and Afghanistan, as well as Syria. In February 2026, Elon Musk announced that SpaceX had blocked its service in Russia to prevent unauthorized use of Starlink.
There is also a state restriction in Iran. Starlink has become an important topic against the backdrop of state control over internet and communication services in Iran. Many people used the Starlink service after the internet was shut down in Iran. The Starlink portal shows that the service is closed in Iran.
In January, Reuters reported in its report that due to the shutdown of the state internet in Iran, many people secretly accessed the internet using Starlink.
Why is Starlink not working in China?
China enforces strict regulations for providers of satellite internet services from abroad. The country's telecommunications and internet system is under tight state control, so Starlink could not obtain permission in China.
The Indian government has responded, stating that India's rules are the same for everyone. Furthermore, licenses have been issued to three companies, one of which is Elon Musk's Starlink. Approval regarding security is still pending.
What is Starlink?
Starlink essentially provides a high-speed internet service directly to the user, bypassing mobile towers, by using satellites. Starlink is an American company.