Elon Musk-owned international telecom services provider Starlink is in the process of acquiring a satellite broadband services license or the global mobile personal communication by satellite services (GMPCS) licence to operate in India, Moneycontrol reported, citing sources. It is the first legal requirement to set up a broadband service in India and is likely to fast-track Starlink’s entry into the Indian telecom sector.
Additionally, Starlink has agreed to comply with the government’s data localisation and security requirements. In a recent meeting with the department of telecommunication (DoT), the company has agreed to adhere to the “in principle” guidelines, including the security rules, which mandate a satellite communications company functioning in India to store all data within the country. The company hasn’t yet submitted the agreement wherein it agrees on meeting the conditions.
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Government’s legal roadmap has stalled Starlink’s debut
Starlink, which was set to debut in the Indian telecom sector in 2021, has been entangled in meeting the legal requirements for nearly two and a half years now. The government earlier in 2024 added some additional conditions for the company before it starts operations. The DoT asked the company to adhere to data localisation norms, including KYC details and customer information of Indian users to be stored in the country. Moreover, the government asked the company to sign an undertaking that traffic over Indian waters and airspace should terminate only at a local gateway.
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The department also asked Starlink to ensure that none of the stakeholders in the company are from the countries that share a land border with India. Consequently, the condition was met by the company in April.
“The ownership issue had been a serious one and the government wanted to make sure that the company has no stakeholders from a country that shares a land border with India. That would’ve raised a red flag...,” the Economic Times reported, citing sources.
Once the company submits the final agreements comprising of data localisation and security framework guidelines, it will move one step closer to getting the broadband services licence.
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