Elon Musk’s Starlink has officially been granted the opportunity to offer satellite-based broadband services in India. This development follows the acquisition of a critical GMPCS (Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite) license. The license is a cornerstone for allowing commercial satellite operations in this prominent Asian market.
The approval is not without its competitive backdrop. Starlink now enters a dynamic market landscape previously navigated by Airtel-backed Eutelsat OneWeb and Reliance Jio Satellite Communications, who have already received their respective licenses. Amazon Kuiper is also eyeing this bustling market but still awaits regulatory approvals. Navigating India’s intricate data residency and interception regulations is a hurdle that all these companies must tackle head-on.
Ahead of its potential launch, Starlink is expected to obtain trial spectrum rights within two to three weeks. This procedural step will allow them to demonstrate compliance with India’s exacting technical and security measures. These strict controls include operational requirements for legal data interception capabilities. Providers are forbidden from connecting user data to external infrastructures or processing this data beyond national borders. Such rules add layers of compliance for operators planning long-term operations in the country.
An important detail is the expectation for companies to indigenize a significant portion of their ground infrastructure. At least 20% should be locally sourced within the initial years of operation. Providers are also required to secure separate security clearance for each satellite gateway and hub situated in India. In this respect, the journey for Starlink appears rigorous but clear.
The green light for Starlink arrives as part of a letter of intent from India’s Department of Telecommunications, marking compliance with the nation’s security and regulatory norms. India’s Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRAI) recently submitted recommendations on pricing and licensing terms to the government. However, spectrum allocation will proceed through administrative channels rather than an auction.
Looking forward, satellite-based broadband services hold the potential to revolutionize internet accessibility, especially in rural regions. Past endeavors by Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio teamed them with SpaceX to leverage Starlink’s network, waiting only for regulatory completion. They aim to bridge connectivity gaps, exemplified by the lack of access for roughly 400 million people globally.
