Starlink, the satellite internet service backed by billionaire Elon Musk, has received approval from the Indian government to launch its communications services in the country. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued a Letter of Intent (LoI) to the company on Wednesday.
Developed by SpaceX, the American aerospace manufacturer founded by Musk in 2002, Starlink provides high-speed, low-latency broadband internet globally using satellite technology. It has been characterized as broadband delivered from the skies.
Unlike traditional satellite services that depend on geostationary satellites positioned far from Earth, Starlink employs the largest low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation currently in operation, situated approximately 550 kilometers above the planet.
This constellation, with around 7,000 LEO satellites — expected to increase to over 40,000 — offers broadband internet capable of enabling streaming, online gaming, and video calls.
On Wednesday, the DoT confirmed that Starlink has agreed to comply with the specified security requirements outlined in the LoI, according to sources.
The approval for this satellite communication service, known for its robustness in challenging environments and conflict zones, coincided with heightened military activities by India targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, following a tragic incident in Pahalgam. However, officials from the DoT clarified that the approval was not influenced by these events.
Previously, the Indian government has granted licenses to Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications, which are set to begin operations once the allocation of radio wave frequencies is finalized.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is currently working on recommendations regarding the allocation of satellite communication spectrum on an administrative basis.
This week, the government established stricter security protocols that require legal interception of satellite communication services. Companies are prohibited from linking user connections with terminals or facilities outside India and from processing any user data internationally.
In addition, the newly implemented security rules require service providers to domestically source at least 20 percent of their satellite network’s ground segment within a certain period after their entry into the Indian market.
Licenses for satellite communication will necessitate security clearances for designated gateway and hub locations across India, as well as adherence to monitoring and interception facility requirements.
According to the guidelines, satellite communication license holders must demonstrate their system capabilities related to security monitoring to the Department of Telecommunications or its representatives before commencing operations in India.
Union Minister Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani addressed the complexities surrounding Starlink’s approval during an industry event on Tuesday, mentioning that the process is nearing completion. He emphasized the critical nature of the government’s security protocols for satellite communication services, particularly given ongoing cybersecurity threats from hostile entities.
He also noted that Starlink’s contribution to connectivity would be modest compared to traditional telecommunications networks.
“Worldwide, Starlink has less than 5 million subscribers, which is relatively small. Its internet speeds and performance lag behind traditional networks,” Pemmasani said. He aimed to reassure the public that concerns about Starlink dominating the market were unfounded.
The minister emphasized that Starlink and similar satellite communication providers would primarily serve remote areas where traditional networks struggle to reach, highlighting that these services are more suited for in-home connectivity than mobile applications.
Pemmasani sought to quell fears regarding satellite communication services encroaching on the traditional telecom market, stating, “Even if Starlink enters, they will be minor players, given the high costs involved in equipment installation, which is ten times more expensive than our conventional systems.” He anticipated that consumer monthly fees would also be significantly higher.
Starlink has been pursuing a license for India for some time and has recently formed partnerships with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, controlling over 70 percent of the Indian telecom market, to facilitate the introduction of its services in the country.
Elon Musk is expected to visit India later this year.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
