HIGHLIGHTS

Starlink has obtained a Letter of Intent (LoI) from India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT).

The service will be made available through collaborations with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.

Starlink’s pricing is anticipated to be higher than that of Jio and Airtel’s broadband services.

SpaceX, the brainchild of Elon Musk, has formally received the green light from the Indian government to initiate operations within the country. A recent report by MoneyControl indicates that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a Letter of Intent (LoI) to Starlink. This development enables the company to provide satellite-based internet services that adhere to the Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS), Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT), and Internet Service Provider (ISP) licenses.

Sources reveal that the issuance of the LoI followed Starlink’s compliance with the Indian government’s rigorous licensing and security protocols. Among these requirements are critical factors such as data localization, lawful interception capabilities, gateway security clearance, and the necessity to establish local manufacturing.

According to assertions from senior government officials, the operating license will be granted once Starlink fulfills all obligations specified in the LoI. This approval coincides with the government implementing stricter security measures directed at satellite internet providers.

For further details, you may refer to the article on the India-Pak conflict: Govt reportedly orders telcos to ensure connectivity, secure border networks.

For readers who may not be aware, Starlink has established partnerships with two major Indian telecom operators: Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel. These collaborations will enable both companies to distribute Starlink’s internet services through their existing retail and online platforms.

While the specifics regarding Starlink’s launch timetable, service plans, and pricing remain somewhat ambiguous, reports suggest that the upcoming Starlink packages could be on the pricier side, potentially surpassing the broadband offerings from both Jio and Airtel. The competitive landscape will be interesting to monitor as Starlink delineates its positioning and pricing strategy in the Indian market.

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Globally, SpaceX’s Starlink services are accessible in more than 125 countries and are celebrated as the most extensive satellite constellation to date, comprising over 6,750 satellites in orbit. Starlink is touted to provide internet speeds exceeding 220 Mbps in select regions, although the precise speeds in Indian territories are yet to be confirmed.