Elon Musk’s Starlink is on the verge of securing a significant milestone in India as reports suggest that the government is inclined to grant approval for its satellite broadband operations. The green light for voice and data communication services is imminent, pending the completion of security checks, as Starlink has reportedly met the requirements concerning data storage and transfer regulations.
The journey to obtain the coveted global mobile personal communication by satellite services (GMPCS) license has been marked by negotiations, with Starlink initially pledging adherence to international data laws. However, the Indian authorities rejected this proposal, prompting Starlink to reconsider and agree to locally storing the data, according to inside sources.
Upon successful security checks, Starlink will join the ranks of companies providing GMPCS services in India. This license will empower the satellite communications giant to offer messaging, voice, and broadband services to both individuals and organizations across the country. Notably, Reliance Jio and OneWeb, owned by Sunil Mittal, have already secured the GMPCS license in India.
The SpaceX subsidiary’s application for the GMPCS license was under discussion during a ‘high-level meeting’ in September. If approved, Starlink would become the third satcom company to receive this prestigious license in India, positioning it strategically in a market where both technology magnates like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are vying for prominence.
