Starlink, a SpaceX-owned satcom (satellite communication) company has finally accepted the key terms laid out by the Indian government to get a license. For several years now, a tussle between the government and Starlink has been ongoing over security terms. But now, Starlink has agreed to the terms that the Indian government has over the security and data storage of Indian customers. India is one of the largest broadband markets for a company like Starlink where it can partner with the telcos as well as offer services to customers directly at scale.
Read More - iPhones Get Support for Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell Coverage: Report
Thus, the company has come to terms with accepting the orders of the Indian government to get a license for offering services. Starlink has agreed to store all user data of the Indian customers within the country and also accepted that intelligence agencies can intercept that data whenever required, according to a Communications Today report.
Read More - Jio, Airtel, Vi and BSNL Asked by Govt to Trial TCIL’s Anti-Spam Solution: Report
The company has written a letter to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for the relaxation of some rules. The application of Starlink is currently being evaluated by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). There's no scope for any sense of relaxation over any security norms for companies like Starlink or Project Kuiper from Amazon.
Read More - Jio Data Vouchers will Not Work with Voice and SMS Plans
It is also worth noting that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is currently working on recommendations for how the spectrum will be given to the satcom companies. The Indian government wants it to happen via the administrative allocation mode, which is the global practice. However, the Indian telecom operators have opposed the stance from the government saying that it creates an uneven playing field.
