SpaceX’s Starlink has achieved a significant regulatory milestone by obtaining the Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) licence from India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT), following rigorous security compliance verification. This positions Starlink as the third satellite communication provider licensed in India after OneWeb and Reliance Jio. The approval clears the path for trial spectrum allocation and eventual commercial rollout, subject to further clearances from the Indian space regulator, In-SPACe. Meanwhile, Amazon Kuiper’s licence approval remains pending. The development occurs amidst ongoing regulatory discussions over satellite spectrum pricing, which have elicited strong reactions from India’s telecom operators.
Starlink’s Licence Approval: A Strategic Milestone
Starlink’s acquisition of the GMPCS licence marks a pivotal moment in India’s satellite broadband ecosystem. After fulfilling all security stipulations in its letter of intent, Starlink now joins the exclusive cohort of satellite service providers authorized to operate in India, including Eutelsat’s OneWeb and Reliance Jio.
A senior government official confirmed that Starlink is poised to receive trial spectrum within the next two weeks, accelerating its entry into the Indian market. This follows reports that SpaceX’s satellite broadband venture had complied with all mandated security requirements, submitting undertakings as per the licensing conditions.
Regulatory Steps Ahead: In-SPACe Clearance and Infrastructure Buildout
The Department of Telecommunications’ licence is a critical but preliminary approval. Starlink must now secure operational authorization from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (In-SPACe), which oversees space-related activities.
Sources reveal that, beyond licensing, Starlink must undertake multiple procedural tasks: establishing three Indian gateways, creating a Network Operations Centre, and integrating lawful interception capabilities mandated by Indian law. Industry insiders estimate that these measures will require a minimum of nine months before Starlink can commence commercial satellite broadband services domestically.
Industry Landscape: Starlink vs. Amazon Kuiper and Other Players
While Starlink advances, Amazon’s Kuiper project faces delays. Despite meeting security and operational conditions, Kuiper’s application remains under review by the inter-ministerial standing committee, delaying its GMPCS licence issuance.
Kuiper aims to establish an extensive satellite communication infrastructure in India, planning ten gateways and points of presence in Mumbai and Chennai—significantly outscaling Starlink’s planned three gateways. In comparison, OneWeb and Jio-SES operate with two gateways each. Kuiper has launched 27 satellites globally but currently lacks direct coverage in the Indian market.
Regulatory and Commercial Challenges: Spectrum Pricing Debate
Starlink’s licence announcement coincides with ongoing deliberations over satellite spectrum pricing by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The authority has proposed a 4 percent adjusted gross revenue (AGR) charge on satellite spectrum, a model that has faced pushback from traditional telecom operators.
The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), representing major players Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, criticized TRAI’s framework, arguing that it disproportionately benefits satellite providers. COAI’s May 29 letter to DoT secretary Neeraj Mittal highlighted that traditional operators incur substantially higher spectrum auction fees, making their overall government payments roughly 21 percent greater than those proposed for satellite services.
Outlook: Satellite Broadband’s Role in India’s Digital Future
Starlink’s licence approval signifies India’s growing emphasis on expanding satellite-based broadband connectivity, especially to underserved and remote regions. However, as licensing and operational challenges unfold alongside spectrum pricing debates, the competitive dynamics between satellite and terrestrial telecom providers are likely to intensify.
The government’s balancing act will involve fostering innovation and infrastructure investment while ensuring a level regulatory playing field. As Starlink progresses toward its commercial launch, industry stakeholders and policymakers alike will monitor how satellite broadband reshapes India’s telecommunications landscape.
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