Starlink nears regulatory nod for space broadband launch in India: Report

In a significant development, Elon Musk's Starlink is poised to secure approval to launch its space-based broadband services in India within the next week, according to reports from ET Telecom and Moneycontrol. The anticipated approval follows Starlink's submission of a clarification on its shareholding pattern to the Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade (DPIIT).

Sources cited by ET Telecom revealed that Starlink's response to DPIIT sets the stage for the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to potentially issue a Letter of Intent (LoI) in the coming days. Moneycontrol, quoting its own sources, suggested that the DoT might issue the LoI as early as Wednesday.

The reports further state that approval letters are being prepared by telecom secretary Neeraj Mittal and communications secretary Ashwini Vaishnaw, both currently abroad. The expected timeline indicates that the approval process could conclude by next week, with subsequent clearance from the Satellite Communications Wing (SCW).

Starlink's venture into the Indian market began with its application for a global mobile personal communication by satellite services (GMPCS) license in November 2022. If granted, Starlink would become the third company in India, alongside Reliance Jio and OneWeb, to secure the GMPCS license. This license would empower Starlink to offer messaging services, voice services, and broadband to individuals and organizations in India.

However, beyond regulatory approval, the satellite communication players, including Starlink, must also obtain clearance from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), the designated single-window agency for space activity approvals in India. Subsequent steps involve spectrum allotment by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).

Starlink had previously faced criticism from the Telecom Ministry in late 2021 for accepting advance payments from subscribers before obtaining the necessary license. In response, the Ministry directed Starlink to refund money to approximately 5,000 customers who had pre-ordered its services in India.

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