Elon Musk’s Starlink, the space-based broadband initiative, is on the verge of receiving approval to launch its services in India, with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) expected to issue a Letter of Intent (LoI) in the “next few days,” following a clarification to the Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade (DPIIT) regarding its shareholding pattern.
Clarification Leads to Anticipated Approval:
Starlink responded to DPIIT’s queries, and sources suggest that the DoT may issue the long-awaited LoI by the end of the month, potentially as early as Wednesday, as reported by Moneycontrol.
Approvals in the Pipeline:
Telecom secretary Neeraj Mittal and communications secretary Ashwini Vaishnaw are expected to provide a letter of approval next week, facilitating the subsequent approval process by the Satellite Communications Wing (SCW) after their return from international commitments.
Starlink’s India Journey:
Starlink applied for a global mobile personal communication by satellite services (GMPCS) licence in India in November 2022, aiming to become the third company, after Reliance Jio and OneWeb, to secure the licence. This licence would empower Starlink to offer messaging services, voice services, and broadband to individuals and organisations across India.
Regulatory Hurdles to Clear:
Apart from government approval, Starlink, like other Satellite Communication (Satcom) players, must secure clearance from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) for space activity approvals. The subsequent step involves spectrum allotment by the DoT.
Recalling Past Challenges:
Starlink faced criticism from the Telecom Ministry in late 2021 for accepting advance payments from subscribers before obtaining the necessary licence. The Ministry directed Starlink to refund money to around 5,000 pre-order customers in India.
As Starlink awaits final regulatory nods, its entry into India’s broadband market promises to reshape the landscape of internet connectivity, offering a satellite-based alternative for messaging, voice, and broadband services.
