Starlink's India licence application is reportedly set to move forward after the Elon Musk-led satellite broadband company agreed to meet the government's data localisation and security requirements. According to a report in MoneyControl.com, this has been a major point of contention. Starlink had applied for a global mobile personal communication by satellite services (GMPCS) licence in October 2022. The Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite Services (GMPCS) licence is the first step towards setting up a satellite internet by acquiring a trial spectrum at a nominal application fee.
In recent meetings with the Department of Telecommunication (DoT), Starlink has reportedly "in principle" committed to complying with these guidelines, a critical step towards securing a satellite broadband services licence or GMPCS licence.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has asked Starlink to provide compliances regarding certain security parameters as it looks to process their applications for offering satellite communications services in the country. There are said to be various security-related compliances as well as those related to data, coverage area etc which Satellite internet service providers have to give to the government in order to offer services in India.
What are the security guidelines
According to security guidelines, a satellite communications company operating in India must store all data within the country. According to security guidelines, a satellite communications company operating in India must store all data within the country. This requirement is a prerequisite for the grant of licence by DoT. Starlink may also reportedly need to show how intelligence agencies will be able to intercept data if and when required.
Starlink, however, is yet to submit its agreement on meeting the conditions.
Fierce battle for the 'Indian Skies'
A heated dispute is brewing between India's leading private telecom operators -— Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea -— and global satellite communication giants like Starlink and Amazon. At the heart of the conflict lies the allocation and pricing of satellite spectrum, a crucial resource for providing broadband services from space.
During a recent open house session, Indian telecom companies advocated for a level playing field. They voiced concerns about the potential impact of satellite operators like Starlink and Amazon, which aim to offer satellite broadband services in urban areas, directly competing with traditional providers.
Telecom operators argue that only auctioned satellite spectrum should be used to serve urban or "retail" consumers. They emphasize the need for a regulatory framework that ensures fair competition between terrestrial and satellite operators, given the rapid advancements in satellite communication technology.
Starlink, however, maintains that telecom and satellite services are fundamentally distinct and should not be compared. Parnil Urdhwareshe, Director of Starlink India, suggested that satellite spectrum, similar to 5G mobile spectrum, could be allocated administratively rather than through an auction process.
In recent meetings with the Department of Telecommunication (DoT), Starlink has reportedly "in principle" committed to complying with these guidelines, a critical step towards securing a satellite broadband services licence or GMPCS licence.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has asked Starlink to provide compliances regarding certain security parameters as it looks to process their applications for offering satellite communications services in the country. There are said to be various security-related compliances as well as those related to data, coverage area etc which Satellite internet service providers have to give to the government in order to offer services in India.
What are the security guidelines
According to security guidelines, a satellite communications company operating in India must store all data within the country. According to security guidelines, a satellite communications company operating in India must store all data within the country. This requirement is a prerequisite for the grant of licence by DoT. Starlink may also reportedly need to show how intelligence agencies will be able to intercept data if and when required.
Starlink, however, is yet to submit its agreement on meeting the conditions.
Fierce battle for the 'Indian Skies'
A heated dispute is brewing between India's leading private telecom operators -— Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea -— and global satellite communication giants like Starlink and Amazon. At the heart of the conflict lies the allocation and pricing of satellite spectrum, a crucial resource for providing broadband services from space.
During a recent open house session, Indian telecom companies advocated for a level playing field. They voiced concerns about the potential impact of satellite operators like Starlink and Amazon, which aim to offer satellite broadband services in urban areas, directly competing with traditional providers.
Telecom operators argue that only auctioned satellite spectrum should be used to serve urban or "retail" consumers. They emphasize the need for a regulatory framework that ensures fair competition between terrestrial and satellite operators, given the rapid advancements in satellite communication technology.
Starlink, however, maintains that telecom and satellite services are fundamentally distinct and should not be compared. Parnil Urdhwareshe, Director of Starlink India, suggested that satellite spectrum, similar to 5G mobile spectrum, could be allocated administratively rather than through an auction process.
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