Satcom Venture Starlink Gets In-Princple Government Nod Ahead Of Elon Musk’s Visit
Elon Musk’s satellite communication (or satcom) venture, Starlink, has finally received an in-principle approval from India’s telecom ministry, marking a significant milestone after nearly three and a half years of deliberations and discussions. Reportedly, the approval is subject to final vetting by the home ministry on specific security concerns.
The ownership structure of the company was a crucial aspect of the approval process, with the government emphasising that no stakeholder from a country sharing a land border with India should be involved, to ensure national security. Additionally, the telecom ministry has mandated that KYC details and customer information of Indian users should not leave the country.
The commercial aspects including foreign investment and net worth were thoroughly examined, aligning with official guidelines. Technical requirements were also scrutinised as per licensing conditions, according to the Times of India. Additionally, Starlink has submitted a declaration regarding its ownership.
The approval process includes assurances from Starlink regarding traffic over Indian airspace and waters, stipulating that it should terminate only at a local gateway. Moreover, data beams from satellites are required to land exclusively in India, preventing any potential data breaches or unauthorised access from foreign shores. Musk’s company has reportedly assured the government of dealing with the matter accordingly.
Once the final approval is granted by communications minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Starlink will be awarded a ‘global mobile personal communication by satellite services’ (GMPCS) license. This license is essential for any entity seeking to provide satellite communication services within India. Notably, competitors like OneWeb, backed by Bharti Airtel’s Sunil Mittal, and Jio in partnership with Luxembourg-based SES, have already obtained similar licenses.
The news comes amidst Tesla CEO confirming that he would be visiting India soon and meeting PM Modi. According to speculations, Tesla and Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries are in the preliminary stages for the EV manufacturing firm to establish itself in India.
According to a report in Economic Times, SpaceX’s Starlink has been struggling with burning more money than it brings in although CEO Elon Musk claims otherwise.
