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The Department of Telecommunication (DoT) officials in India are set to meet on September 20 to decide whether to grant Starlink, the satellite internet service by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, permission to operate in the country through a proper license. Starlink’s services are already available in 32 countries worldwide and have been proven essential during communication blackouts, such as the one experienced in Ukraine during its war with Russia.

Starlink had applied for a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) license with the DoT last year and had opened pre-booking channels in India in 2021. However, the government required the company to shut down the pre-booking channels and instead apply for a license. Starlink’s official website still states that its services are awaiting “regulatory approval.”

An official mentioned that the government’s intention is to have all internet-based services, including Over-The-Top (OTT) services, fall under a licensing regime to ensure the safety of Indian users. Bringing these services under regulation would enable the government to direct them to halt their services if necessary, without disconnecting the entire internet infrastructure. The official cited the case of Skype as an example where unlicensed services were unable to be regulated.

Apart from Starlink, other companies like Airtel-backed OneWeb and Jio’s satellite arm, Jio Space Technology, have also applied for the GMPCS license. Once licensed, these companies will need to acquire satellite spectrum allocated by the DoT.

Satellite internet differs from traditional internet as it relies on signals from satellites orbiting the Earth instead of cables or copper wires. This makes satellite internet especially beneficial in areas without access to fiber-cable internet or where cellular connectivity is limited. Users would need to install dedicated equipment at their homes or remote stations to access these services. Starlink uses a constellation of Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites to provide internet connectivity and has already launched thousands more satellites with additional launches planned.

Efforts are being made by multiple companies in India to bring satellite internet services to the country, expanding connectivity options and bridging the digital divide in areas with limited infrastructure.

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