Starlink’s Debut in India: It’s Just a Matter of When, Not If!

Elon Musk’s Starlink has officially received state approval in India, marking a significant step towards entering the world’s second-largest internet market, following a previous unsuccessful attempt over three years ago. This announcement comes from India’s Department of Telecommunications, which confirmed the progress to TechCrunch.

Starlink’s Compliance Journey in India

With the approval in place, Starlink must now submit the necessary documentation to demonstrate compliance with Indian licensing requirements. Recently, New Delhi unveiled new regulations for Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) operators, which set forth important security guidelines applicable to satellite companies like Starlink and Amazon’s Kuiper.

Key Regulations for Satellite Operators

• Content censorship and traffic interception capabilities similar to those of terrestrial network operators.
• Restrictions on user terminal access outside designated geo-fenced areas.
• Requirement for compliance with India’s specific operational guidelines.

Additionally, SpaceX will require clearance from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN–SPACe) to launch its satellite communication services in the region. The expected rollout of Starlink’s connectivity is projected to take between six to nine months, according to industry insiders.

Indian Government’s Support for Starlink

This approval signals a welcoming shift from the Indian government, as Musk has long sought to establish Starlink’s presence in the country. With a population exceeding 1.4 billion and approximately 950 million internet subscribers, India presents a lucrative opportunity for innovative internet connectivity solutions.

Recent Partnerships and Challenges

The approval follows recent partnerships between Indian telecom giants Airtel and Reliance Jio with SpaceX to introduce Starlink’s high-speed internet services. However, these partnerships did not streamline the regulatory approval process, as standalone licenses were still necessary for Starlink’s operations.

In 2022, SpaceX faced challenges when it launched services without the required licenses, leading to the company needing to refund preorder customers after the Indian government intervened.

Musk’s Engagement with Indian Officials

The landscape for Starlink appears to have shifted positively, particularly following discussions between Indian commerce minister Piyush Goyal and Starlink executives. These meetings occurred just months after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Musk met in the U.S. Musk has also expressed intentions to visit India this year, which could coincide with developments in both Starlink and Tesla’s operations in the country.

Competition in the Satellite Internet Market

Despite the positive developments for Starlink, competition in the Indian satellite internet market is heating up. OneWeb, in collaboration with Airtel, has already secured approval from IN-SPACe, and Jio SpaceFiber, a partnership between Reliance Jio and SES, has obtained the necessary licenses from both the Department of Telecommunications and IN-SPACe. Amazon’s Kuiper is also in the process of seeking approval to commence operations.

Future Outlook for Satellite Internet in India

The Indian government has yet to disclose the spectrum allocation specifics for satellite internet providers. In late 2023, a new telecom bill was introduced, facilitating spectrum allocation for satellite services through a designated fee; however, the exact requirements and fees remain unannounced.

For more information on the evolving telecommunications landscape in India, check out the Department of Telecommunications website.

Note: SpaceX has not provided a comment regarding these developments.