Satellite communication services rely on an array of satellites in orbit to offer connectivity to homes and businesses on the ground.
Elon Musk’s Starlink has officially received approval from the Indian government to provide satellite internet services. The clearance arrives nearly three years after the company first applied for an operator license, marking a major milestone for the satellite internet provider.
A Boost from the Top
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently spoke with Musk, highlighting strong prospects for tech partnerships. In parallel, Starlink executives met with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, pushing for faster clearances.
Following a thorough evaluation—especially from a national security lens—the government has now issued Starlink a letter of intent. This opens the door for the company to receive a GMPCS (Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite) license, which is key for launching services.
Rivals and Regulatory Roadblocks
The approval follows an intense industry tug-of-war. Indian telecom giants Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel had expressed concerns about how satellite spectrum should be allocated. Starlink pushed for administrative allocation, while Jio supported a spectrum auction.
The government ultimately sided with Starlink, favouring administrative allocation. Authorities cited technical difficulties in auctioning shared satellite spectrum. This decision may have tipped the scale in Starlink’s favour.
Strategic Collaborations with Indian Telcos
Despite competition, Starlink has inked partnership deals with both Jio Platforms and Airtel. These alliances will allow the Indian firms to offer Starlink’s satellite internet services to their customer bases.
Though satellite internet remains more costly than traditional broadband, it appeals to affluent urban households. These partnerships suggest Starlink is looking to scale through established networks in India.
Why Satellite Internet Matters
Unlike traditional broadband, satellite internet doesn’t rely on ground infrastructure like cables or fibre optics. It offers a viable option for remote areas where installing terrestrial networks is costly or impractical.
Starlink runs the largest satellite network in the world, with around 7,000 satellites in orbit. This allows them to provide wider coverage and build resilient networks, especially in underserved regions.
While satellite internet sometimes faces higher latency compared to ground networks, it shines in reach and minimal physical setup.
New Rules for Satellite Providers
Starlink’s approval comes shortly after India’s Department of Telecommunications issued fresh guidelines for satellite internet companies.
The rules aim to boost local production and strengthen data security. Companies must:
- Set up local manufacturing for at least 20% of ground infrastructure within five years.
- Use India’s NavIC navigation system, with full implementation required by 2029.
- Keep user data inside Indian borders and ensure real-time monitoring.
- Cooperate fully with local law enforcement.
Companies will also need to block services during national emergencies if required. Additional clearance is mandatory for offering voice and data services.
Data and Security Take Centre Stage
India wants satellite operators to host their data centres within the country. Domain Name System (DNS) resolution must also be done locally. Moreover, providers are barred from decrypting or duplicating telecom data outside Indian territory.
These guidelines reflect India’s increasing focus on data sovereignty and national security in the tech sector.
What This Means for Canada and the World
Starlink’s approval in India signals growing global interest in satellite internet. Canada, already a major user of Starlink in remote and rural areas, can expect to benefit indirectly. More global adoption often leads to better infrastructure, improved services, and potential cost reductions.
This move also underlines how governments are balancing innovation with data control, a theme relevant to Canadian tech policy discussions as well.
