The government of India has made stringent terms with Elon Musk’s satellite communications firm, Starlink, as it moves towards obtaining a satellite communications license in India. The terms, primarily security and regulation-specific to the country, include setting up a local control center and permitting call interception centers.
Security and Regulatory Measures
According to government sources, Starlink must establish a control center in India to facilitate the immediate suspension or shutdown of its communication services in sensitive areas whenever necessary to maintain law and order. Authorities stress that they cannot afford to depend on Starlink’s US-based headquarters for urgent communication controls.
Additionally, the government has mandated that Starlink implement protocols allowing law enforcement agencies to intercept calls through official channels. Similar requirements already apply to terrestrial telecom providers like Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea. To comply, Starlink will need to ensure calls routed via its satellite network first pass through an Indian gateway before reaching their final destination.
Strategic Partnerships in the Works
Part of its strategy to enter, Starlink has also been said to have engaged in discussions with major Indian telecom providers like Reliance Jio and Airtel for cooperation on marketing, deployment, and network enhancement. The move is said to help Starlink bypass the cumbersome regulatory environment as well as integration with existing telecom infrastructure.
Government’s Broader Telecom Policy
The strict approach towards the Starlink satellite network is in line with India’s overall telecom regulatory policy, where the government can, in times of national crisis, temporarily take over any telecom network. The policy also provides for shutting down the internet in cases where it is necessary for public safety.
The conservative approach of the Indian government towards satellite communication services is driven by security concerns and a need for strict regulatory oversight. While the high-speed satellite internet by Starlink is going to fill the digital gap in remote areas, compliance with these terms will be the success mantra of the operation in India.
Looking Ahead
Starlink’s expansion is already underway, and to what extent it will be willing to be compliant with India’s security and regulatory standards will determine its fate in one of the world’s fastest-developing digital economies. Having already completed deals with top telecommunication providers and talks with government authorities, Starlink is determined to align with India’s stringent telecom standards.
The outcome of such negotiations will act as a model for other satellite communications companies ready to enter India, and this will shape the future of internet services via satellites in the country.
Also Read: After Airtel, Jio Partners with SpaceX’s Starlink
