Winning Bizness Desk

Mumbai. Elon Musk's satellite broadband company, Starlink, is close to starting internet services in India. Jyotiraditya Scindia, India’s Minister of Communications, announced that India is ready to grant a license to Starlink, provided it meets the country’s security and regulatory standards. Scindia emphasized that any company, including Starlink, must comply with India’s data security and other legal requirements to operate in the country.

Starlink Ready to Follow India’s Rules

A recent report indicates that Starlink is prepared to adhere to India's data localization and security rules to obtain a satellite broadband services license. During a meeting with the Department of Telecommunications, Starlink expressed its willingness to comply with these requirements, although the company has not yet formally signed an agreement.

The Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) license is the first step toward setting up satellite internet services. With this license, a company can pay a nominal application fee to secure spectrum for testing purposes. India’s security guidelines require that all data collected by satellite communication companies operating in the country be stored within its borders. Starlink may also be required to demonstrate how it will provide data access to Indian intelligence agencies if needed.

Starlink Applied for a License in 2022

Starlink initially applied for the necessary license in October 2022. Afterward, the company also sought approval from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe). The application has moved forward, but IN-SPACe has requested additional information from Starlink before final approval. India’s satellite broadband services will launch once the government finalizes rules around pricing and spectrum allocation. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is expected to issue its recommendations by the end of December, which will enable the government to advance with the regulatory process.

Indian Companies Will Compete with Global Giants

India’s satellite internet market is expected to see strong competition between local and global players. Domestic companies like Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone-Idea will face off against international giants like Jeff Bezos’ Kuiper and Elon Musk’s Starlink. In a recent open house session, representatives from these Indian companies argued that satellite services for urban or retail consumers should only use auctioned satellite spectrum. Starlink countered this position, stating that satellite communications differ fundamentally from telecom services and should not be subject to the same rules.

Spectrum Should Be Administratively Allocated, Says Starlink

Starlink’s India Director, Pernil Urdhwareshe, stated that satellite spectrum, unlike telecom spectrum, should be allocated administratively rather than through auctions, especially if telecom companies are sharing 5G mobile spectrum. IN-SPACe projects that India’s space economy could grow to $44 billion by 2033, increasing its share of the global space market from 2% to nearly 8%.

How Starlink’s Satellite Internet Works

Starlink uses satellites to beam internet coverage to any location on Earth. The satellite network provides high-speed, low-latency internet access. Latency refers to the time it takes for data to travel from one point to another, crucial for activities requiring real-time responses. To connect, users need the Starlink kit, which includes a dish, Wi-Fi router, power supply cables, and a mounting tripod. The dish must be placed outdoors with a clear view of the sky for optimal performance. The Starlink app, available on iOS and Android, helps users set up and monitor their internet connection.