SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service is inching closer to its much-anticipated launch in India, having agreed to meet the government’s data localization and security requirements. These regulatory demands, once seen as a major hurdle, are now viewed as critical steps for Starlink to secure its foothold in India’s thriving satellite internet market.
During recent discussions with India’s Department of Telecommunications, Starlink reportedly agreed ‘in principle’ to comply with the country’s stringent data localization and security policies. This milestone marks a significant step forward in Starlink’s quest to obtain the coveted Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite Services (GMPCS) license, a prerequisite for providing satellite broadband services in India.
The GMPCS license will allow Starlink to apply for trial spectrum at a nominal fee, a crucial step in establishing its satellite network across the country. Indian regulations mandate that all satellite companies store data within the country and demonstrate secure methods for intelligence agencies to access this information if necessary. Starlink’s willingness to address these requirements has been a game-changer in its regulatory journey.
In addition to the GMPCS application, Starlink’s proposal with the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) is also progressing. IN-SPACe chairman Pawan Kumar Goenka recently confirmed that both Starlink and Amazon Kuiper are addressing the queries raised for final approval, signaling the growing competition in the Indian satellite internet market.
As Starlink awaits regulatory clearance, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) is consulting stakeholders on methods for spectrum allocation and pricing for satellite services. These spectrum allocation rules, expected by December this year, will set the stage for Starlink and other satellite providers to commence operations in the country.
The entry of Starlink and other global satellite providers has intensified competition with Indian telecom giants, including Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea. At a recent open-house meeting, local providers voiced concerns over spectrum allocation, advocating for an auction-based model to ensure fair competition in urban areas where satellite services would compete directly with terrestrial networks.
Starlink, however, argues that satellite and terrestrial networks differ fundamentally, and administrative spectrum allocation, not auction, would better support satellite communication. Starlink India Director Parnil Urdhwareshe asserted that if telecom companies can share 5G spectrum, satellite operators should similarly benefit from administrative spectrum allocation, a perspective that may find traction with regulators.
As Starlink’s Indian ambitions take flight, the company’s ability to navigate the country’s data localization and security demands has proven pivotal. With Elon’s potential influence in the new US administration and the growing competition in the satellite internet market, Starlink’s journey in India is poised to be a closely watched affair.
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