In a major boost for India’s satellite communications sector, Elon Musk’s Starlink has secured a Letter of Intent (LoI) from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to begin operations in the country. This move comes after the company agreed to India’s revised national security guidelines.
Security Compliance Unlocks Approval
The green light was granted after Starlink agreed to India’s strict new rules, which include storing data locally, real-time tracking of mobile terminals, and a ban on linking Indian users to foreign infrastructure. Among 29 security terms, terminals must now report their location every 2.6 km or every minute—whichever is shorter. Starlink also committed to partially indigenising its ground infrastructure.
Mobility Services: A Game-Changer
While rivals like Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio-SES are currently limited to fixed satellite services, Starlink is expected to receive approval for mobile satellite internet—potentially allowing users to stay connected while on the move. This capability could prove transformative for disaster zones, remote villages, and mobile military applications.
Border Rules and Ownership: The Middle Ground
Starlink initially resisted rules requiring surveillance of terminals near international borders and mandating majority Indian ownership. The government ultimately dropped both conditions, aligning with existing foreign direct investment (FDI) norms that allow 100% foreign ownership.
Starlink Still Needs Final Clearances
Though the LoI is a key milestone, Starlink still needs authorization from IN-SPACe and a spectrum allocation from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). TRAI is expected to propose pricing for spectrum shortly.
Global Eyes on India’s Skies
Starlink’s India push is part of a wider global trend. Amazon’s Project Kuiper and Globalstar—Apple’s satellite partner—are also exploring the Indian market. To strengthen its position, Starlink has inked partnerships with Jio and Airtel, which jointly control over 70% of India’s telecom space.
A Musk Visit on the Horizon?
Elon Musk is expected to visit India later this year, possibly to advance Starlink’s rollout and sign key investment agreements. If successful, this could mark a new era in India’s connectivity landscape, especially for rural and remote regions.
