Starlink to Soon Receive License for Satellite Services in India, Amazon Kuiper Faces Delays: Report

Starlink Set to Receive GMPCS License, Amazon Kuiper Faces Delays in India Rollout: Report
Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia on Thursday announced that Starlink is set to become the third satellite internet service company to receive a license to operate in India, according to an ANI report. The license will be issued by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in the coming days. So far, Bharti Group-backed OneWeb and Reliance Jio have been granted licenses for providing satellite-based internet services in the country.

  • Make Telecom Talk My Trusted Source
  • Source of Google
  • Source of Google

Also Read: Starlink May Launch Sub-USD10 Satellite Internet Plans in India

Government Confirms License Will Be Issued Soon

“In the coming days, the third license [to Starlink] will be provided. And after this, the government will provide the spectrum. Subsequently, satellite telecom services will be fully operational in the country at a rapid pace. I am sure the customer base in India will grow substantially,” Scindia said during an interaction with the media, according to the report.

Describing Starlink’s services as “a new flower in the telecom bouquet,” the minister highlighted the evolution of India’s telecom infrastructure, from fixed-line to mobile, broadband, and now satellite-based connectivity.

Scindia asserted that internet penetration can only be increased through satellite communication services, especially in remote areas where laying wires and installing towers would be difficult.

Also Read: TRAI Says Satcom Services Complement and Do Not Compete With Terrestrial Networks

Collaborations with Airtel and Jio

Starlink is also forming strategic partnerships with Indian telecom companies Airtel and Jio to promote its services. Under these collaborations, Starlink will leverage the distribution and dealership networks of these companies to reach customers across the country.

In mid-April, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met a delegation from Starlink to discuss the company’s technology platform, existing partnerships, and future investment plans in India.

Regulatory Clearances

“Starlink was given time till June 7 to meet compliance after the LoI was issued last month on May 7. They had already submitted the necessary security-related requirements to meet the new license conditions, and had given undertakings on other guidelines…they will get the license within this month,” a senior official told Moneycontrol.