The Indian government is in the final stages of granting approval to Elon Musk-led Starlink to offer satellite internet services in the country, according to Union Minister of State for Telecom Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani. Speaking at the Bharat Telecom event, Pemmasani described the approval process as “complicated” due to necessary security clearances, but confirmed that a decision is imminent.
The Minister emphasized that the government’s newly introduced satcom security norms are critical, especially given cybersecurity threats from hostile actors like Pakistan. “Security is one of the aspects we have to look at. Since it is in the final stages, we will get back on that,” he said.
Limited Scope Compared to Traditional Networks
Pemmasani clarified that Starlink and other satellite players will have a limited role focused on enhancing connectivity in hard-to-reach areas, rather than competing with traditional telecom providers. He noted that Starlink currently serves fewer than 5 million users globally and offers lower speeds compared to conventional networks.
“Starlink or others are not going to replace traditional networks. Their role is mainly for remote locations where it is hard to reach. Even globally, the number of Starlink users is quite small,” he said.
Also read: Government Mandates Lawful Interception for Satcom
The Minister added that installation costs for Starlink services are significantly higher—about 10 times that of traditional network setups—and that monthly user charges would also be substantially higher. He noted that Starlink is best suited for maritime services and isolated rural areas rather than widespread mobile services.
No Significant Disruption Expected
Addressing concerns over Starlink’s entry into the Indian market, Pemmasani reassured stakeholders that satellite communication services would complement existing telecom networks rather than disrupt them. “This exaggeration that Starlink will take over India’s telecom sector comes from a lack of understanding of how these systems work,” he said.
Currently, key players like Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications have already received government licences to offer satcom services. Starlink is awaiting its final approval, which will allow it to commence services following the allocation of radio wave frequencies.
The new guidelines for satellite communication players are expected to be finalised based on recommendations from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
