Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, Starlink, has received approval from India’s space regulator, IN-SPACe, clearing the final regulatory hurdle to begin operations in the country.
This marks a significant step for Starlink, which has been awaiting approval since 2022. Here’s a breakdown of the key developments:
What approval has Starlink received to operate in India?
Starlink has officially received approval from Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) to operate its Gen1 satellite constellation in India.
The approval, which is valid until July 7, 2030, grants Starlink the right to use specific frequency bands for both gateway and user beams. This enables the company to transmit and receive internet data across India, marking a major step in its plan to offer satellite-based internet services.
What are the next steps for Starlink in India?
Although the regulatory approval from IN-SPACe is a key milestone, Starlink still needs to secure spectrum from the Indian government, set up ground stations, and complete testing to meet security requirements. The company plans to establish at least three gateway stations across India and is expected to begin trials soon with spectrum granted by the Department of Telecommunications. These trials will ensure that Starlink meets India’s technical and security standards before launching full-scale services.
Starlink has reportedly signed some early commercial deals with VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) providers in India. This suggests that the company may initially focus on offering services to businesses and government entities before expanding to individual consumers. The company is preparing for trials and finalising its infrastructure as it works toward its full commercial launch.
What impact does Starlink’s approval have on the satellite internet market?
With this approval, Starlink joins Eutelsat OneWeb and Reliance Jio as the only companies with full regulatory clearance to offer satellite internet in India. This move marks a significant development in India’s satellite internet sector, which is set to expand as more companies begin offering services to underserved areas, potentially revolutionising internet access across the country.
