Starlink: Elon Musk’s Starlink one step away from getting greenlit in India with in-principle govt nod
Days before his anticipated meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India, Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet project has received an in-principle approval from the telecom ministry. This approval marks a significant milestone for the venture, which has been navigating hurdles for over three years.
The approval process is currently under review by communications minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, awaiting final vetting by the home ministry on security matters, according to sources familiar with the matter. The sources reported that the commercial aspects, such as foreign investment and net worth, have been thoroughly examined and found to be in compliance with official guidelines. Technical requirements have also been scrutinized in accordance with license conditions.
Concerns regarding the ownership of Starlink were addressed, with the government ensuring that there are no stakeholders from countries sharing a land border with India. Starlink submitted a declaration regarding its ownership, resolving this issue.
The telecom ministry has imposed certain mandates, including restrictions on KYC details and customer information of Indian users leaving the country. Security measures require an undertaking from Starlink that data traffic over Indian airspace and waters must only terminate at a local gateway. Furthermore, data beams from satellites should only land in India and not reach foreign shores due to satellite movements.
Once final approval is granted by Ashwini Vaishnaw, Starlink will be issued a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) services license, enabling the provision of satellite communication services in India. Competitors like OneWeb and Jio have already been granted GMPCS licenses, though the specifics of spectrum allocation and pricing are yet to be determined by the regulator Trai.
Elon Musk is set to visit India on April 21 and 22, coinciding with the expedited license process for Starlink. During his visit, he is expected to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and make significant announcements, including the launch of Starlink and potential investments ranging from $2 billion to $3 billion in India. Musk’s visit comes amidst intensifying competition in the satcom spectrum race, with Starlink vying against companies backed by Mukesh Ambani and Sunil Bharti Mittal.
Preparations for Musk’s visit are underway, with invitations expected to be sent out by the Prime Minister’s Office to government officials and industry stakeholders. The Indian government has already relaxed regulations for importing fully built electric vehicles in response to Musk’s plans, potentially paving the way for Tesla’s entry into the Indian market. Tamil Nadu is rumored to be a potential site for a Tesla manufacturing plant, although no final decision has been made regarding an EV facility in India.