The Indian government has confirmed that Starlink, the satellite internet company founded by Elon Musk, has complied with its security and data storage regulations. This endorsement is essential for any satellite broadband provider seeking to secure a license to operate within the country. Starlink is looking to initiate its services in India, which is in the process of administratively allocating satellite spectrum. The company will face competition from other emerging players such as Reliance’s JioSpaceFiber, Airtel, and Amazon Kuiper.
Starlink Seeks Modifications to License Conditions
According to a report by Financial Express, Starlink has officially accepted the requirements outlined by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), which include provisions for local data storage and government access to data for surveillance. Meeting these criteria is a prerequisite for obtaining a license. The report indicates that the government has not requested further clarifications from the company.
Sources suggest that Starlink previously sought some leniency regarding specific conditions while awaiting the approval of its application. However, the Indian government has maintained a strict policy against making exceptions for foreign firms. Currently, the DoT has not awarded any licenses to international satellite operators.
Once operational, Airtel and Reliance’s Jio are anticipated to be Starlink’s most significant competitors in the Indian market. These companies are poised to launch their respective satellite services following the upcoming allocation of spectrum by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
Starlink previously disagreed with Jio concerning TRAI’s approach to allocating satellite spectrum through administrative means. The telecom giant owned by Mukesh Ambani has advocated for a spectrum auction, an approach analysts believe could hinder the entry of global satellite communication providers.
Prospective satellite broadband services are expected to commence in India in the near future, contingent upon the TRAI allocating the necessary satellite spectrum. Currently, applications from Starlink and Amazon Kuiper for launching services in India remain under review, while OneWeb and Jio have already secured a global mobile personal communication by satellite services (GMPCS) license.
