Good news for Elon Musk in India, Govt approves permit to…, but bars from…

According to media reports, Elon Musk’s SpaceX's satellite-based internet service, Starlink is reportedly set for roll out in India by late 2025 to early 2026

The government has granted Starlink a permit after the company agreed to comply with domestic regulations, including security provisions that prohibit copying or decrypting data overseas and prevent Indian user traffic from being mirrored on systems abroad, Minister of State for Communications Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar said.

He told PTI that under these security requirements, satellite communication providers must establish earth station gateways within India to route communications between satellites and users.

Govt Approves Permit To Starlink 

He said that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) granted a Unified License (UL) to Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited after the US firm agreed to the stipulated terms and conditions of the UL, including security conditions which is applicable to all satcom players.

“The security conditions, inter-alia, include the establishment of earth station gateway(s) in India for providing satellite-based communication services with no user traffic originating from or destined for India to be routed through any gateway located outside India, no copying and decryption of the Indian data outside the country, and the Indian user traffic is not to be mirrored to any system/server located abroad,” the minister said.

How Satellite-based communication Will Operate In India?

He also said the telecom department had sought recommendations of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on terms and conditions of spectrum assignment, including spectrum pricing, for providing satellite-based communication services, which were received on May 9.

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“Satellite-based communication services are an upcoming area and, as any new economic activity would do, it is also expected to generate employment in the country, as it involves, inter alia, the installation, operation and maintenance of the telecom network, including user terminal equipment,” the minister added. 

(With Inputs PTI)