India’s Telecom Minister Scindia: Starlink Must Fulfill All Licensing Requirements to Operate

Government Reaffirms Open Market Policy for Satellite Broadband

New Delhi: Union Minister for Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya Scindia, has stated that SpaceX’s Starlink must meet all regulatory requirements before securing a license to operate in India. While the government welcomes competition in the satellite broadband sector, it remains firm on ensuring compliance with licensing norms.

“The market is open for anyone who wants to come and operate in India, provided they fill up the pro forma, get the license, avail of the spectrum—which would be administratively assigned—and get into operation,” said Scindia.

Starlink’s License Application Still Pending Since 2021

Responding to queries about Starlink’s long-pending application, the minister clarified that the delay is due to incomplete regulatory compliance by SpaceX.

“That is between the company and the application process. They have to check off all the boxes, and the minute they do that, they will get their licence.”

Pro-Competition Approach: India to Offer Consumer Choice

Scindia emphasized that the government remains “company-agnostic” and “consumer-focused”, ensuring that Indian consumers have multiple broadband choices—be it through fiber, mobile networks, or satellite communication.

The government sees satellite-based communications as complementary to India’s existing digital infrastructure, particularly in disaster management and rural connectivity.

“We’ve got two licenses that have already been given out to OneWeb and Jio-SES. Our market is open for anyone who wants to come and operate in India, provided they meet the requirements,” he added.

TRAI to Announce Spectrum Pricing Soon

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is expected to finalize satellite spectrum pricing soon. The government will then allocate spectrum based on TRAI’s recommendations.

Starlink’s Strategic Partnerships with Jio & Airtel

Starlink’s India entry has gained traction following partnerships between SpaceX, Jio Platforms, and Bharti Airtel. These collaborations are expected to accelerate regulatory approvals for Starlink’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite operations in India.

March 12 Update: Sources suggest that SpaceX and Starlink are likely to receive faster approvals from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and IN-SPACe due to these recent partnerships.

Amazon’s Kuiper May Follow Suit

Following Starlink’s progress, Amazon’s Kuiper satellite broadband could also gain similar regulatory clearances for India. The satellite industry is gaining momentum, with global tech giants eyeing India’s rapidly expanding internet user base.

Starlink’s Compliance Updates: GMPCS License Application in Progress

SpaceX has submitted the necessary documentation for a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) license and has agreed to key regulatory conditions, including:

• Setting up a ground station in India
• Establishing a Network Control Center (NCC) in the country

Sources indicate that India’s telecom department and IN-SPACe are in the final stages of processing Starlink’s application, with approvals likely to follow soon.

Implications for India’s Internet Landscape

• Starlink’s approval could boost high-speed internet access in remote and underserved regions.
• Competitive pricing in the satellite broadband sector could emerge as more players enter the market.
• Government remains firm on regulatory compliance but encourages foreign investment in India’s digital infrastructure.