Elon Musk Will Soon Start Satellite Internet In India! Talks With Govt Resumes For License

After a hard time attempting to spread its reach in the Indian markets, Elon Musk’s satellite network Starlink has been reported to be seeking a permit for launching satellite internet services in India.

The US-based satellite internet company is known to be in talks with the Indian regulatory authorities for application of a license to offer satellite communication services in the country.

This comes after the Elon Musk-led Starlink had received backlash from the Indian telecom regulator, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) earlier this year, for conducting operations in the country without having generated a proper license.

It must be noted that the satcom company has begun conversation with Indian authorities to issue a proper license to begin spreading its reach to the Indian markets.

SpaceX-Owned Starlink Looks Out for Indian Licence

According to Reuters data, the SpaceX-led satellite internet service provider Starlink has begun conversations with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for the application of a licence which would allow the company to offer satellite-based communication services in the country.

This makes Elon Musk’s SpaceX the third company to apply for a satellite internet services launching permit in India, after OneWeb backed by the Bharti Group and the satellite unit of Reliance Jio.

As per the report, SpaceX will seek statutory approvals from the Indian government for landing rights and market access and will look out for approvals to set up local gateways, from the DoT.

Companies (satellite services providers) are required to get a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite or GMPCS license from the government, and according to sources privy of the matter, Starlink is likely to apply for this license within a month.

Even though DoT has the authority to grant SpaceX the required license, it is expected that spectrum allocation of the same shall only be done after the regulatory body TRAI and the government decide upon the need for airwaves to be auctioned or allocated administratively.