Starlink Seeks Indian Security Clearance For Satellite Broadband: Report

Weeks after Tesla and Starlink CEO Elon Musk appreciated the Centre’s initiative to allot satellite communication (satcom) spectrum administratively, Starlink is reportedly seeking security clearance for a licence to offer satellite broadband services in India.

The company will also get a permit if it meets all conditions, Reuters reported, citing Jyotiraditya Scindia, telecommunication minister.

Scindia also said that Starlink was in the process of obtaining security clearance, which requires it to convince New Delhi that the company processes and stores data locally, and that its satellite signals are secure.

The SpaceX-owned company has told the Indian government it is willing to comply with all of New Delhi’s security requirements, the report quoted an anonymous source as saying.

As per the report, this clearance would lead Starlink to move a step closer to Musk’s plans to offer broadband to Indians, which is currently dominated by the two biggest telecom operators, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.

It is noted that the telecom regulator issued a consultation paper a few months ago, seeking to explore the methodology and pricing for assigning spectrum to satcom companies. 

The Centre is in favour of administrative allocation of such licences, as the move would be in line with what the majority of the nations have done so far. 

Elon Musk’s satellite internet business has been expecting its approval to launch its space broadband services in India since January.

This development also comes at a time when Globalstar, which offers emergency SOS services for Apple devices, made open its plans to apply for a licence to offer satcom services in India, in August .

Furthermore, Minister of State (MoS) called for fostering private and government partnerships to build resilient satcom and terrestrial networks, earlier this month, betting on satcom to be a “transformative entity” connecting every Indian household and village to the internet.

Updated at 11:02 AM

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