Starlink, Spacex Owner Elon Musk Accepts Data Security Rules, Satcom License Application to Move Forward

The licensing process for SpaceX owner Elon Musk’s Starlink in India may soon move forward. Satellite broadband company Starlink has agreed to comply with government rules on data tracking and security, according to reports.

According to media reports, in a meeting with the telecommunications department, Starlink agreed to the rules related to data localization and security for the satellite broadband services license, but the company has not yet filed the agreement.

The Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite Services (GMPCS) license is the first step towards establishing satellite Internet. After which, the spectrum can be obtained for testing purposes by paying a nominal application fee.

It is mandatory for satellite communication companies to maintain complete data in the country.

As per security regulations, it is mandatory for satellite communication companies operating in the country to keep all data inside the country. Starlink may also need to explain how intelligence agencies will obtain the data if they need it.

Starlink applied for a license in October 2022

Starlink had applied for this license in October 2022. After that, the company also sought approval from the space regulator, Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe). The application with IN-SPACE has also progressed, but additional details are being sought for final approval.

Indian government to decide spectrum pricing and allocation rules

Satellite broadband services will start in India only after the government decides on the rules for pricing and allocation of spectrum. This process can only begin when the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) publishes its recommendations, expected by the end of December.

Indian companies will compete with global companies like Starlink

In the satellite services sector, Indian companies like Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone-Idea will compete with global companies like Amazon owner Jeff Bezos’ Kuiper and Musk’s Starlink.

At an open house last week, representatives of the three Indian companies said only auctioned satellite spectrum should be used to provide satellite-related services to urban or retail consumers.

To this request, Starlink had stated that telecommunications/ground services and satellite communications are different in principle and therefore should not be compared.

Spectrum should be allocated administratively rather than by auction

Starlink India director Pernil Urdhvareshe said that if 5G mobile spectrum is shared among telecom companies, it should be allocated administratively rather than through auctions.

IN-SPACe estimates that the country’s space economy could reach $4,400 million by 2033 and its global market share could increase from around 2% currently to around 8%.

How will the Internet reach you via satellites?

Satellites make it possible to broadcast Internet coverage to any part of the Earth. The satellite network provides users with high-speed, low-latency Internet coverage. Latency refers to the time it takes to transmit data from one point to another. The Starlink kit consists of a Starlink dish, a Wi-Fi router, power cables and a mounting tripod. For high-speed internet, the dish must be kept in the open air. The Starlink app is available on iOS and Android, which takes care of configuration and monitoring.