Starlink Moves Closer To Entering India After Agreeing To Data Localisation Rules

Elon Musk's satellite internet startup, Starlink, is on the verge of getting approval to operate in India after agreeing to follow key government requirements, as per a report by Moneycontrol. The company has agreed in principle to follow data localisation regulations, which are critical for acquiring the required GMPCS license to deliver satellite-based internet services in the country.

Elon Musk's satellite internet service, Starlink, has taken a step closer to entering India after apparently agreeing to follow major requirements imposed by the Indian government. According to the laws, companies that provide satellite internet services must store all of their data in India and enable the government access for security reasons if necessary. These data localisation criteria are critical for Starlink to get the GMPCS (Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite) license, which is required for operations in India.

Starlink applied for this license in October 2022, and it also requested further permits from India's space authority, IN-SPACe. However, IN-SPACe has asked additional information from both Starlink and its competitor, Amazon Kuiper, before granting final clearance. Meanwhile, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is developing guidelines to govern satellite spectrum price and distribution. The final TRAI recommendations are expected in December, and they will have an impact on how satellite internet companies such as Starlink operate in India.

Starlink's agreement to comply with India's data storage and access standards is a big step forward in the company's efforts to expand in the country. However, the corporation has yet to submit an official agreement, so the process is still in its basic stages.

The regulatory framework in India has raised concerns among local telecom carriers like as Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea, who believe that international satellite providers should be obliged to purchase spectrum through auctions to provide an equal playing field. These companies have expressed worries about fair competition, particularly in urban areas where satellite internet may compete directly with mobile networks.

On the other hand, Starlink believes that satellite internet should be regulated differently than regular telecom services and should not be subject to spectrum auctions. The company's ability to meet India's regulatory criteria will be critical to its efforts to start in the country.