Starlink India: Elon Musk’s satellite-based internet service Starlink has reportedly received provisional approval from the Communications Ministry.
Elon Musk’s visit to India is imminent, and before that, reports suggest that his satellite-based internet service, Starlink, has received temporary approval from the Communications Ministry. The approval process is currently under review by Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, with final approval pending from the Home Ministry on certain security issues. The commercial aspects, including foreign investment, net worth, and technical requirements, have been assessed in line with licensing conditions.
Upon receiving approval from the Government of India, Starlink will be granted a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) license, a prerequisite for providing satellite communication services in the country.
Previously, Musk attempted to launch his satellite internet service in India but faced setbacks due to a lack of government approval. The company made another attempt in November 2022, applying for a GMPCS license. Despite encountering obstacles, Starlink persisted in its efforts.
In December of the previous year, the government passed the Telecom Bill 2023, facilitating spectrum allocation for satellite-based services without the need for auctions. This move benefits companies like Oneweb, Starlink, and Amazon’s Kuiper. Recently, the CEOs of Tesla and SpaceX confirmed their upcoming visit to India to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It is anticipated that several significant announcements will be made during the visit, including the launch of Starlink and an investment of between $2 to 3 billion in the country.