New Delhi: Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, Starlink, has moved a step closer to launching operations in India after the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued it a Letter of Intent (LoI) for a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) licence.
Starlink, operated by Musk’s space exploration firm SpaceX, has agreed to comply with key Indian regulations, including data localisation, interception capabilities, and setting up a local command and control centre.
According to reports, the LoI for GMPCS, VSAT, and ISP licenses was issued after the company committed to adhering to India’s revised security framework. The final operational license will be granted once Starlink fulfils all remaining licensing conditions.
The clearance comes amid ongoing India-US bilateral trade talks, with the government working to ease trade tensions and fend off potential tariff measures from former US President Donald Trump, should he return to office.
Recent engagements between the government and SpaceX executives, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Musk and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s interaction with company officials, have helped accelerate Starlink’s regulatory progress.
Starlink’s entry is expected to boost digital connectivity, particularly in rural and underserved regions. A government official said that the introduction of satellite-based services would add a new dimension to India’s evolving telecom landscape, offering consumers more choices and spurring market competition.
This development also coincides with Musk’s broader India plans, including the impending launch of Tesla’s electric vehicles. The company has already secured retail space in Delhi and Mumbai, with plans to begin with imports and eventually set up a manufacturing facility.
It should be noted that while Starlink edges closer to deployment, Amazon’s Project Kuiper remains in regulatory limbo, as it is still awaiting clearance from Indian authorities. Meanwhile, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) is expected to provide its nod to Starlink soon.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is also preparing to release critical guidelines on satellite spectrum pricing, which will play a key role in shaping the commercial strategies of satellite operators.
With the LoI now in hand, Starlink is poised to bring its high-speed satellite internet services to India, marking a transformative step toward bridging the digital divide in one of the world’s most populous and connectivity-hungry markets.
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