Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, Starlink, has received a pivotal license from India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to offer satellite communication services in the country. This Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) license positions Starlink as the third company authorized to provide such services in India, following Eutelsat’s OneWeb and Reliance Jio.
The GMPCS license, valid for 20 years, permits Starlink to offer voice and data services through its satellite network across licensed service areas in India. This development is particularly significant for enhancing internet connectivity in remote and underserved regions, where traditional infrastructure is lacking.
Despite this milestone, Starlink must secure additional approvals before commencing operations. These include clearance from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) and compliance with security norms such as lawful interception capabilities and data localization requirements. The company is also expected to receive trial spectrum in the coming weeks to test its services and ensure adherence to regulatory standards.
Starlink’s entry into the Indian market follows a protracted approval process, with the company having applied for the license in 2022. The approval was delayed due to various concerns, including national security considerations. In March, Starlink signed agreements with major Indian telecom operators, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, to facilitate the distribution of its services.
With this license, Starlink is poised to play a crucial role in bridging the digital divide in India, offering high-speed internet access to regions that have historically been underserved.
