Elon Musk's Starlink Cleared For Satellite Internet In India, Gets Green Light From DoT: Report
This move puts Starlink ahead in the race to deliver next-gen satellite broadband in the country, enabling it to conduct service demonstrations akin to OneWeb.
Starlink India: Elon Musk's Starlink has secured the official go-ahead for operating in the country. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a Letter of Intent (LoI) to Starlink after the company committed to adhering to India’s updated licensing and security frameworks, Moneycontrol reported based on inputs from Government sources.
LoI Paves the Way for Starlink’s India Debut
According to a senior official, “Yes, Starlink has been issued LoI by the DoT for GMPCS, VSAT and ISP licenses in India... the LoI came after it gave an undertaking to meet license conditions and security protocols under the new revised security guidelines... the final license will be given once Starlink is able to fulfil all license conditions.”
This move puts Starlink ahead in the race to deliver next-gen satellite broadband in the country, enabling it to conduct service demonstrations akin to OneWeb, which is already active in India under a defence pilot program. The source also added, “The In-SPACe authorisation will also be given soon,” referring to the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center’s required clearance for commercial space activities.
Project Kuiper Still in the Waiting Room
While Starlink inches closer to rollout, Amazon’s satellite internet venture, Project Kuiper, is still navigating bureaucratic hurdles. A source familiar with the matter confirmed that, “For Kuiper, the wait is slightly longer. Their application is currently under process at the DoT.” This highlights the increasingly competitive landscape among global tech giants eyeing India’s untapped satellite broadband market.
TRAI to Soon Clarify Spectrum Pricing
Even as licenses begin to take shape, spectrum-related policy decisions remain in flux. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is expected to release its much-awaited recommendations on satellite spectrum pricing shortly. These guidelines are likely to influence the commercial strategy for all satellite players, including Starlink and Project Kuiper.
With India seen as a crucial frontier for digital inclusion through satellite connectivity, Starlink’s regulatory nod signals a promising shift. The final license issuance will mark the true beginning of Starlink’s journey in the Indian telecom ecosystem, one that could potentially reshape rural and remote connectivity across the subcontinent.
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