New Delhi, November 12, 2024 – Indian Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia confirmed that Starlink must meet all regulatory requirements to obtain its operating license. The minister stated that the company is currently in the process of compliance.
Recently, the Indian government granted a license to the joint venture of Bharti Group-backed OneWeb and Jio-SES, known as Jio Satellite Communications. Starlink's ability to secure a license hinges on its commitment to adhere to data security guidelines, which was emphasized during discussions with the Department of Telecommunication (DoT).
Starlink, operated by SpaceX, aims to provide low-cost satellite internet to remote areas and plans to expand its satellite constellation from 6,500 to 42,000 units. Meanwhile, it faces competition from private telecom operators such as Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, who argue that only auctioned satellite spectrum should be utilized for urban consumers to ensure fair competition.