The telecommunication ministry has granted a licence to Elon Musk’s Starlink, a satellite internet service provider. The move has paved the way for the company to begin its commercial operations in the country.
DoT granted authorisation
Starlink is the third company to receive the government’s authorisation from the Department of Telecommunications.
On June 5, Union telecommunication minister Jyotiraditya Scindia stated that Musk’s company shall receive authorisation as the third satellite internet service provider.
So far, Bharti’s OneWeb and Reliance Jio have received a license from the Department of Telecom, government of India, the minister told reporters.
‘Musk’s Starlink will be given 3rd satcom services licence‘
“In the coming days, the third license will be provided,” Scindia said, referring to Starlink. Once licenses are given, the minister said the spectrum would be allocated to them.
“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,” the minister added.
“Starlink’s satellite connectivity is like a new flower in the telecom bouquet,” he said, explaining the progress of the telecom ecosystem in the country.
‘Satellite connectivity is important’
“Earlier, there was only a fixed line. Today, there is mobile connectivity and broadband connectivity. Optical fibre connectivity has also come in. Along with these, satellite connectivity is also very important,” he quipped.
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.
Recently, Airtel and Jio have also partnered with Starlink to bring the latter’s high-speed satellite internet services to their customers in India. Starlink will use Airtel and Jio’s strong dealership network to sell and promote its services.
