The Department of Telecommunications (DoT)  approved Elon Musk’s Starlink to operate satellite internet services in India, over two years after the US firm applied for a license. 

The letter of intent was issued by the department, pending final clearance.

A similar license has already been issued by the DoT to Airtel-backed Eutelsat OneWeb and Reliance Jio’s satellite arm Jio Space Limited.

Starlink is said to requirefinal authorization from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe).

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) also has to issue recommendations on satellite spectrum, detailing the modalities for allocation of space spectrum, including its price, which is expected soon.

The latest development also comes a day after the DoT tightened the security conditions that need to be met for satcom services in India. These are said to range from securing separate security clearance for each satellite gateway in India, localization of all lawful interception facilities, and special provisions that mandate services to specific individuals, groups or geographical areas during hostilities.

 

Starlink provides satcom services in over a 100 countries through a constellation of over 7000 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites operated by SpaceX, the American spacecraft manufacturer, launch service provider and satcom company owned by Musk.

 

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Starlink’s application for a GMPCS license had remained under processing since November 2022.