Starlink Gets Approval to Launch Internet Services

Starlink Gets Approval to Launch Internet Services

Why in the News ?

The Indian government has issued a letter of intent to Starlink, allowing it to begin preparations for offering satellite internet services in India. Final approvals will follow service demonstrations, security clearances, and compliance with local data and manufacturing norms.

Starlink Gets Approval to Launch Internet Services

Regulatory Approvals and Licensing Process:

  • Starlink applied for the GMPCS (Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite) licence in 2022.
  • The company has now received a letter of intent, similar to earlier approvals for OneWeb and Jio.
  • It awaits final clearance after demonstrating services and complying with local regulatory norms.
  • It also needs a green light from IN-SPACe for deploying its satellite constellation and capacity in India.

Government Mandates and Compliance Requirements

  • India has issued norms for satellite firms:
    • Data localization

    • Lawful interception provisions
    • Gateway security clearance

    • Local manufacturing requirements

  • The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is finalizing recommendations for satellite spectrum allocation, essential for commercial rollout.

Infrastructure Setup and Future Plans

  • Starlink will establish earth station gateways to connect satellites with local internet networks.
  • In March, SpaceX partnered with Bharti Airtel and Jio to distribute Starlink equipment through retail stores.
  • Services may target businesses, schools, and healthcare centres.
  • Globally, Starlink operates the world’s largest satellite constellation, with over 6,750 satellites in orbit.

About Starlink :

●Starlink is a low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet service by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, with over 7,000 satellites in orbit.
● Available in nearly 40 countries, it delivers internet via ground terminals.
● Satellites orbit Earth and link users to the internet through ground stations.
●Designed for areas lacking traditional broadband infrastructure.
● Offers internet speeds around 100 Mbps, comparable to home broadband.
●Latency is higher than wired networks, making it less suitable for real-time tasks like gaming.
●In India, it’s ideal for rural and remote areas, but less competitive in urban zones with robust 5G and fiber networks.