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Tag: Elon Musk Starlink

  • Centre Plans to Launch Satellite Communication (Satcom) Services in India by January 2026

    According to reports, the government is eager to introduce satellite communication (satcom) services by January 2026. The Digital Communication Commission (DCC, formerly known as the telecom commission), the highest decision-making body of the telecom department (DoT), is scheduled to meet shortly to discuss the country’s satcom rollout, according to sources cited by The Hindu Businessline.

    According to a senior government official, the administration hopes to roll out services (satcom) in December or January since that is when the final spectrum pricing decision will be made. According to reports, the DCC, which is chaired by the telecom secretary, was supposed to make a decision by July of this year regarding the pricing and distribution of satcom spectrum.

     The conference was postponed, though, and a new date is currently being decided. In addition to establishing rules and licences for satellite earth station gateways, which link satellite networks with terrestrial ones, the DCC will lay out the pertinent policies for satcom services.

    Commenting on the move, Amit Mahajan, Director, Paras Defence & Space Technologies stated, “The Government’s plan to launch Satellite Communication (Satcom) services in India by January 2026 marks a defining moment in our digital and industrial future. Reliable, secure, and high-capacity Satcom will not only transform connectivity in remote and underserved regions but also reshape how enterprises operate across sectors such as logistics, energy, financial services, and manufacturing. For industries advancing towards automation, Industry 4.0, and real-time data exchange, communication infrastructure forms the backbone. Satcom has the potential to bridge gaps where terrestrial networks cannot reach—enabling resilient supply chains, smarter mobility, and more efficient governance systems.”

    New Satcom Rules Yet to be Finalised

    The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) suggested in May that satcom operators be given administrative spectrum assignments for a duration of five years, with the possibility of an additional two-year extension, even though satcom regulations have not yet been approved.

    With a minimum yearly spectrum fee of INR 3,500 per MHz, TRAI also recommended pricing the spectrum at 4% of the operators’ adjusted gross revenue (AGR). Government dues from telecom providers are calculated using a certain revenue computation called AGR. Additionally, the regulator proposed charging NGSO-based operators an extra INR 500 annually for each urban user. However, rural areas will not be subject to this fee.

    TRAI further demanded that all permitted organisations sharing spectrum coordinate in good faith. It recommended that the Centre look into user terminal subsidies in underserved areas and establish a 30-day window for spectrum assignment following an operator’s in-principle clearance.

    DoT Wants Satcom Tenure to be Less Than 5 Years

    According to reports, the DoT wants the satcom spectrum tenure to be kept under five years in case a new technology emerges. Such controversial topics are anticipated to be discussed at the next DCC meeting. Some of the largest corporations, both local and foreign, are rushing to obtain satcom licences in the nation in the meanwhile.

    Elon Musk’s Starlink, Jio-SES, and Eutelstat OneWeb, supported by Bharti Enterprises, have been given preliminary permissions to operate in the nation, while Amazon’s Project Kuiper and Apple partner Globalstar have applied for licences.

    Quick
    Shots

    •The Digital Communication Commission
    (DCC), chaired by the telecom secretary, to finalize spectrum pricing &
    policy.

    •Rollout expected in Dec 2025–Jan
    2026, pending spectrum pricing decisions.

    •DCC to decide on rules, licences, and
    earth station gateway regulations for satcom connectivity.

    •Administrative spectrum assignments
    for 5 years (+2-year extension).

  • Elon Musk’s Starlink Ties Up with UIDAI to Enable Aadhaar-Based Customer Verification in India

    According to an official announcement cited by news agency PTI, billionaire Elon Musk’s satellite internet service business Starlink would use Aadhaar authentication to validate Indian consumers before onboarding them. Starlink has been given permission by the government to start providing satellite-based broadband services domestically.

    As per the release, Starlink Satellite Communication Pvt Ltd, a satellite-based internet provider, has been onboarded by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). For customer verification, Starlink will adopt Aadhaar Authentication, which will streamline, secure, and simplify the procedure.

    In India, Starlink can currently enrol about 20 lakh consumers, according to an official estimate. The onboarding of Starlink with Aadhaar identification, according to the statement, represents a potent synergy: India’s reliable digital identity collaborating with international satellite technology.

    In addition to providing high-speed internet to homes, businesses, and institutions, Aadhaar e-KYC will make user onboarding easier and guarantee regulatory compliance.

    In front of UIDAI CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar, UIDAI Deputy Director General Manish Bhardwaj, and Starlink India Director Parnil Urdhwareshe, Starlink Satellite Communication was designated as a sub-authentication and sub-eKYC user agency. To provide its services within the nation, Starlink has partnered with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.

    The Elon Musk-led satellite internet company can offer speeds of up to 200 Mbps, according to Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, the Minister of State for Rural Development and Telecommunications.

    Impact on Telecom Players Jio, Airtel, and BSNL

    According to PTI, the government doesn’t think this will affect other telecom providers. “Starlink can only serve 20 lakh customers in India while providing speeds of up to 200 Mbps. “Telecom services won’t be impacted by it,” Minister Pemmasani told the news agency during a BSNL review meeting.

    Customers in rural and distant areas of India, a sizable market for the state-owned telecom carrier BSNL, are the target market for the company’s satellite internet services.

    Starlink’s Role in Rural Connectivity in India

    According to earlier reports from a number of media outlets, Starlink intends to use its satellite technology to expand the local telecom industry and address connection issues in rural and isolated parts of India.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Will use Aadhaar Authentication &
    e-KYC for Indian customer verification.

    •Starlink expected to enroll up to 20
    lakh customers initially.

    •Combines India’s digital identity
    system (Aadhaar) with global satellite internet tech.

    •Ensures secure, simplified, and
    regulatory-compliant customer onboarding.

  • India Caps Starlink to 20 Lakh Users: Govt Limits Elon Musk’s Satellite Internet Ambitions

    Union Minister Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar downplayed the danger to state-run BSNL and other telecom companies on July 28 by stating that billionaire Elon Musk’s satellite communication services business, Starlink, might only have 20 lakh connections in India. The Minister of State for Telecom was addressing a review meeting of BSNL.

    Satellite Internet Expected to Serve Rural and Remote Regions

     According to the minister, Starlink can only serve 20 lakh users in India while providing speeds of up to 200 Mbps. Telecom services will not be impacted. Rural and isolated locations, where BSNL is known to have a substantial presence, are anticipated to be the focus of satcom services.

    As per a government official, Starlink’s current capacity is the reason for the connection limit. According to the minister, satcom services will be too expensive up front and could cost up to INR 3,000 per month.

    BSNL 4G Rollout Completed, Revenue Grows 30%

    The minister added that the BSNL 4G rollout is finished and that there are currently no plans to raise pricing. “First, we want the market. “No tariff increases are planned,” he stated. According to the minister, BSNL’s revenue increased by 20–30% in the first quarter of the current fiscal year as a result of the rollout of 4G services and the stabilisation of technology.

    More than 90% of the technical problems that existed before have been resolved, according to Pemmasani. Around power plants, there were problems. The replacement of 30,000 power plants cost between INR 600 and 700 crore. He went on to say that upgrades to power supplies had improved customer satisfaction and increased BSNL network uptime.

    He stated that “each circle is being given individual targets in terms of increasing subscriber base,” and that BSNL is currently resolving numerous legacy issues.

    India Pushes for Indigenous Tech, Phases Out Chinese Equipment

    In response to a question regarding the state of Chinese equipment at BSNL, the minister stated that the government intends to keep utilising domestic technologies within the state-owned company and will progressively phase out 2G and 3G equipment, eliminating the need for maintenance. ZTE is one of the Chinese vendors that BSNL has used to install 2G and 3G technology.

    The Starlink network is the first and biggest satellite internet provider in the world, according to the official website. The technique provides users with broadband (Wi-Fi) internet by using Earth’s lower orbit. By using their home setup or portable Starlink equipment to connect to the satellite network, people can use this broadband network to facilitate streaming, online gaming, and video calling.

    Starlink’s global operations are owned and managed by SpaceX, a space technology business founded by billionaire Elon Musk. According to a previous Mint report, Starlink wants to use its satellite technology to boost the domestic telecom sector and solve connection problems in India’s rural and isolated areas.

    The Indian National Space Promotion & Authorisation Centre, or IN-SPACe, granted the US-based business permission to use its Gen 1 constellation capability above India. The permission is valid for a period of five years, ending on July 7, 2030.

  • Starlink Secures Approval to Launch Satellite Internet in India

    Elon Musk’s satellite internet project has finally got a go-ahead from the Indian government to set up operations after nearly three years of wading through bureaucratic channels. Starlink now moves toward getting its Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) license cleared. A letter of intent has been issued, marking a significant go-ahead for the company to set up operations in a market where it has pushed back against domestic telecom giants Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, who opposed Starlink in favor of auctioning spectrum.

    Strategic Meetings Accelerate Progress

    Starlink’s latest movement in India traces high-profile dealings with the Indian leadership. Last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk had a discussion that provided a glimpse into the kind of collaboration between star companies and high-profile world leaders that is common in the modern political economy. Meanwhile, SpaceX’s Starlink also pressed its case for going to market in India in meetings with senior government officials. Pressing the play button on the Indian digital economy is a promise that Starlink, a bridge in satellite technology, makes to the Indian government.

    A New Chapter in India’s Broadband Landscape

    Starlink’s arrival presents a real alternative to old-school terrestrial broadband networks like cable and fiber. With about 7,000 satellites currently in orbit, it’s also the much larger player in the satellite broadband space, and the much cheaper one, too. Still, with that much space in the sky, Starlink’s coverage is unmatched, and resilience is built into a system that can route around terrestrial failures, whether due to natural disasters or human errors. Pricing remains an open question, but the first tier of customers in India will probably be well-heeled urban households and businesses seeking a reliable alternative.

    Compliance and Localization

    The Department of Telecommunications has now granted approval. There had been some concern that the stringent new guidelines released by the department, demanding, among other things, that public and private satellite internet providers support India’s regional navigation system, NavIC, might hobble Starlink’s entry into the Indian market. Starlink already has its phased rollout plan in place, clearly outlined in the 50-page application document it submitted last July, in which it also detailed how it would comply with the new regulations. Implementation of the plan will be closely monitored by the Indian government.

  • Elon Musk’s SpaceX Company’s Starlink Devices were Confiscated from Manipur

    On December 18, 2024, sources notified a media outlet that Manipur’s security forces had retrieved Starlink internet devices from the Imphal East district, along with sniper guns, pistols, grenades, and other weapons. According to the report, the retrieval took place on December 13 during a concerted operation in multiple districts, including Churachandpur, Chandel, Imphal East, and Kangpokpi. The first satellite constellation in the world, Starlink is owned by US tech tycoon Elon Musk’s aerospace company, SpaceX, and offers broadband internet anywhere in the world where the service has a licence to operate.

    Refuting the Claims

    When asked if militants in India use Starlink, Musk responded that the claims are “false” and that Starlink satellite beams are switched off over India. Security authorities said the recovery of the Starlink gadget has led the appropriate agencies to look into how the technology got to the state that is riven by conflict. Starlink is not authorised to conduct business in India. The discovery of sophisticated satellite internet gear represents a concerning increase in insurgent capabilities, even though such seizures usually contain weapons and ammunition. The insurgents’ use of Starlink, which offers high-speed satellite internet, suggests a possible change in their operating approach by allowing them to get past conventional communication obstacles.

    In India’s insurgency-prone areas, Starlink’s capacity to deliver dependable internet connection in isolated and disconnected locations presents a special risk. The satellite internet provides end-to-end encryption, which makes it more difficult for intelligence services to monitor rebel conversations than traditional communication systems that are susceptible to disruption or interception. The Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF) and its armed component, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), one of the most active rebel groups in Manipur, were identified by markings on the discovered device.

    Given that Starlink does not currently have a satellite broadband licence in India, the use of such technology sparked concerns about how the terrorists obtained the gadget. Security experts think that in order to get around restrictions, the device might have been smuggled into the nation or activated using phoney geotagging. According to a senior officer, this is more than just a technological seizure; it’s a window into the evolution of insurgency groups. The official also noted that the ability to access high-speed internet from distant locations alters the dynamics of coordination and communication for these organisations.

    Additional Consequences of Security Agencies

    Counterinsurgency operations face a number of difficulties when militants use satellite internet. Now, insurgent organisations may share real-time intelligence, run propaganda campaigns, and more efficiently coordinate operations across vast places.

    Conventional techniques for tracking insurgent communications, like phone interceptions and internet usage surveillance, might lose their effectiveness. Instead of depending on local networks, rebels may use Starlink to communicate directly with outside organisations, sponsors, or supporters.

    The civilian population may potentially be at risk from this trend, according to security experts. Insurgents’ unfettered access to the world internet creates opportunities for cyberattacks, the dissemination of false information, and even recruitment efforts aimed at young people who are particularly vulnerable.

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  • Police Notify Elon Musk’s Starlink in $4.25 Billion Drug Smuggling Case

    Indian police are now keeping an eye on Elon Musk’s Starlink after drug smugglers allegedly used one of its internet service devices to transport $4.25 billion worth of cocaine from Myanmar into Indian waters. According to reports cited by a media house, police officers in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have served Starlink with a legal notice requesting the identity of the buyer of the gadget that enabled the peddlers to smuggle illegal goods into the nation by water. The payment method used to buy the Starlink Mini device connected to the drug smuggling case, registration information, and usage history are among the other elements the police are looking for.

    Police Found Satellite Internet Device

    Six Myanmar nationals were arrested by the local police in November for carrying more than 6,000 kg of meth on a boat. On the same boat, the police officers discovered the satellite internet gadget. The case’s senior police officer went on to say that the incident sparked “alarm bells” because it was the first time that drugs were smuggled into Indian waters using a Starlink device to cross the deep sea. This development coincides with Starlink’s application for a government licence to provide its satcom services in the nation. It is already involved in a dispute with two of the biggest telecom companies, Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio, regarding the distribution of satcom spectrum.

    Tug of War Between Companies Over Allocation of Spectrum

    Airtel and Jio have requested an auction of the satcom spectrum, while Starlink and Amazon Kuiper have demanded that the spectrum be distributed administratively. It is important to remember that Starlink has not yet received the Centre’s security authorisation to begin offering satellite broadband services in India. The government wants the business to guarantee that data processing and storage would take place locally.

    This comes after Jyotiraditya Scindia, the minister of communications, stated last month that satellite service spectrum will be distributed administratively but at a “cost” that would be determined by TRAI following thorough discussions with relevant parties. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, the Minister of State (MoS) for communications, stated earlier this month that satcom should be viewed as an adjunct to terrestrial networks like 5G and 6G in order to close the digital gap and improve last-mile connectivity in India.

    Earlier this month, the director of Starlink Satellite Communications, Parnil Urdhwareshe, stated during the open house that Indian consumers desire satellite broadband services and that these “intelligent consumers” are entitled to select an operator that will offer them a high-quality, reasonably priced service. He noted that Starlink’s website easily provides costs for any country and that the company takes pride in making satellite broadband accessible to those who have not yet had it.

    Elon Musk Commits to Delivering Highest Quality of Service in India
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  • By December 15, Trai will Finalise the Suggested Satcom Spectrum Allocation Rule

    According to Anil Kumar Lahoti, chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), the organisation is expected to make its recommendations about spectrum assignment and satcom service price by December. Trai has examined all of the comments, rebuttals, and submissions from the industry following the open house discussion. After then, it will take us two months to arrive. Thus, Lahoti informed the media that at some point in December, Trai will be in a position to make its recommendations.

    Additionally, he stated that before developing the suggestions, TRAI will consult the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) regulations, worldwide best practices, and stakeholder inputs. This occurs weeks after representatives of terrestrial and non-terrestrial network providers attended an open house discussion on satcom spectrum allotment hosted by TRAI.

    Tug of War Between National and International Players

    There were heated exchanges during the event as telcos like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel demanded that satcom spectrum be distributed through an auction to guarantee a “level playing field,” while Jeff Bezos’s Amazon Project Kuiper and Elon Musk’s Starlink made the case for administrative satcom spectrum distribution.

    This comes after Jyotiraditya Scindia, the minister of communications, stated last month that satellite service spectrum will be distributed administratively but at a “cost” that would be determined by TRAI following thorough discussions with relevant parties. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, the Minister of State (MoS) for communications, stated earlier this month that satcom should be viewed as an adjunct to terrestrial networks like 5G and 6G in order to close the digital gap and improve last-mile connectivity in India.

    The director of Starlink Satellite Communications, Parnil Urdhwareshe, stated during the open house that Indian consumers desire satellite broadband services and that these “intelligent consumers” are entitled to select an operator that will offer them a high-quality, reasonably priced service. He noted that Starlink’s website easily provides costs for any country and that the company takes pride in making satellite broadband accessible to those who have not yet had it.

    Consultation Paper and its Aftermath

    Notably, in September, TRAI released a consultation paper to investigate the process and cost of allocating spectrum to satcom firms. The study requested feedback on 21 topics, such as the process for calculating spectrum fees, satellite communications service frequency ranges, assignment duration, and provisions for spectrum surrender, among other things.

    In response, telecom provider Reliance Jio sent several letters to TRAI requesting that the consultation paper on satcom spectrum distribution be withdrawn. The company said that the current paper “overlooks the critical point of ensuring” a level playing field between satellite and terrestrial services.

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  • Starlink, Owned by Musk, is Pursuing Indian security Clearance for Satellite Broadband

    The telecoms minister stated on 12 November 2024 that Elon Musk’s Starlink is requesting security clearance for a licence to provide satellite internet services in India and will receive permission if all requirements are met.

    When New Delhi announced last month that it will allocate satellite broadband spectrum administratively rather than through an auction, as Musk had requested, Starlink’s long-term aspirations to join India took a significant boost. Mukesh Ambani, a rival Indian telecom mogul, has requested an auction.

    In order to receive security clearance, Starlink must convince New Delhi that it processes and maintains data locally and that its satellite signals are secure, according to Indian telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, who made this announcement recently. “You receive the licence once all the requirements are met. At an event in New Delhi, Scindia stated, “We will be very happy if they (Starlink) do that.”

    Musk’s plans to provide broadband to Indians, a market that Ambani’s Reliance Jio now controls with 14 million wired connections, would be one step closer if Starlink were granted security clearance. According to a media report, Ambani, the richest man in Asia, has over 479 million Indian telecom users. However, he is worried that after investing $19 billion on airwave auctions, he now runs the risk of losing internet customers as well as maybe data and phone clients to Musk as technology develops. A report claims that Reliance already has security clearance to begin offering satellite broadband services.

    According to various media reports, Starlink has informed the Indian government that it is prepared to abide by all of New Delhi’s security regulations.

    To begin providing satellite broadband services, businesses must still acquire spectrum after receiving security clearance. Ambani provided free data on his mobile services, and Musk has used similar forceful strategies. Musk upset regional telecom companies by pricing Starlink at $10 a month in Kenya as opposed to $120 in the US.

    Fierce Competition in Indian Spectrum Satellite Space

    Hours after Elon Musk denounced the auction process that rival billionaire Mukesh Ambani was pursuing as “unprecedented,” the Indian government recently announced that it will distribute spectrum for satellite broadband administratively rather than through an auction.

    The process of allocating spectrum for satellite services in India, a market expected to expand 36% annually to reach $1.9 billion by 2030, has been a divisive topic since last year in what is perceived as a battle between billionaires.

    Musk’s Starlink contends that administrative licence distribution follows a worldwide pattern, while India’s Reliance, which is run by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, claims that an auction is necessary to guarantee fair competition and that Indian law does not specify how individuals can receive satellite broadband services. At a ceremony in New Delhi, Telecoms Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia stated that the telecom watchdog would determine the spectrum’s pricing and that it would be administratively distributed in accordance with Indian law.

    Elon Musk Commits to Delivering Highest Quality of Service in India
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  • “We are Committed to Providing the People of India with the Highest Quality of Service we can”- Musk

    Elon Musk applauded the Indian government’s choice to utilise an administrative process instead of an auction to distribute satellite broadband spectrum. Starlink, Musk’s satellite internet startup, is expected to benefit from this action as it eliminates the need for competitive bidding to obtain spectrum in the nation.

    Jyotiraditya Scindia, India’s Minister of Telecom, stated at a New Delhi event that the telecom regulator will decide pricing and that spectrum allocation will take place administratively. Scindia stressed that this strategy is in line with global norms, saying, “If you do decide to auction it, then you will be doing something that is different from the rest of the world.”

    The choice was made in the midst of discussion about how satellite spectrum should be distributed in India, which is essential for the launch of satellite-based internet services there.

    Musk stated on X (previously Twitter) that he will try his hardest to use Starlink to help the people of India. In addition, he observed that the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a United Nations agency responsible for satellite communications, has long designated this form of spectrum for shared use among satellite operators and that an auction for the spectrum would be unprecedented.

    Reliance Still Pushing for Auction

    Even if Musk’s Starlink is in favour of administrative allocation, India’s telecom behemoths are against the move. The billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s company Reliance had previously contested the regulatory consultation procedure, claiming that an auction is required to guarantee fairness. They think satellite companies, particularly those hoping to service affluent urban areas, ought to buy spectrum just like regular telecom companies.

    The auction approach was also supported by Sunil Mittal, the chair of Bharti Airtel and co-chair of Eutelsat. Speaking at the event in New Delhi, Mittal stated that satellite businesses that want to enter the urban market should purchase spectrum in the same way that telecom companies do.

    The ITU’s criteria for shared spectrum allocation for satellites are widely adhered to globally, thereby endorsing the position of Musk and other satellite operators. But domestic telecom giants like Airtel and Reliance are worried about keeping the playing field equitable. They contend that, given the rising demand for satellite internet services in cities, auctioning will bring justice and transparency to the distribution of spectrum.

    OneWeb, an Airtel-partnered subsidiary of Eutelsat, had also voiced requests in its representations to the Indian government earlier in 2023 regarding the auctioning of satellite spectrum. Global satellite providers, such as Starlink and Amazon’s Project Kuiper, meanwhile, maintain their support for administrative distributions since they see spectrum as a common resource.

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