Starlink’s launch in India now a matter of when, not if

Elon Musk’s Starlink, the consent of the expected state in India, opening the door to enter the world’s second largest Internet market, three years after SpaceX Previous attempt Eventually failed to launch a satellite-based broadband in the country.

On Wednesday, the Indian Telecommunication Department gave NOD to Starlink to start working in accordance with the South Asian nation.

Starlink will be forced to provide documents that show that it is already in line with licensing requirements. It published New Delhi at the beginning of this week order (PDF) Satellite (GMPCS) for global mobile communication by operators, to set clear security rules for companies, including Starlink, Amazon’s Kuiper and others.

Some of these rules will help limit the entry of the Indian Terminal to the user terminal outside the censorship of the Indian government and the entrance of the user terminal.

Spacex also needs to formalize to activate its satellite-based communication services, Indian Space Regulator, India National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (space).

The official dissemination of the Starlinking connection in India will last six to nine months and get acquainted with the issue.

Nevertheless, the last move is a gesture of a musk from the Indian government to expand the user base from the Indian government. India has a population of more than 1.4 billion people, but only Around 950 million internet subscribersPrepare a tantalizer market for any other company that sells an internet connection with starlink or another approach.

Approval comes about two months after Indian TV Advance and Reliance jio Starlink announced his partnership with Spacex to launch high-speed Internet service in the country. However, the rolling plan was not flat through those commons, as stand-alone as adjustment approvals

In 2022, Spacex reprimanded the start of Starlink services in India without taking the necessary licenses. Company had to return their forefront of their equipment After the government, he called “Satellite Internet service to order” before receiving the necessary licenses.

However, thanks to the ties close enough with the musk Trump, the environment now changed to Starlink. Starlink was also reported to be used as a tool in countries preparing for trade negotiations With the USA

Last month, Indian Trade Minister Piush Gurban Met with Starlink administratorsIncluding India, including Parnil urdhwareshe in the New Delhi’s office. This was two months after the meeting between the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Musk in the United States Recently musk Planned to visit India this year. The trip may be an opportunity to control the progress of billionaires Tesla’s Indian OperationsAs the house carmaker is also waiting for the most populous country in the world – in addition to Starlink’s roleboard.

Saying this, Starlink is expected to face both local and international competitions in the country’s satellite internet BallellerWith Airtel, which is common, already confirmed in space and Jio SpacefiberExperience has a joint venture between Jio and Sounds, both points and space. Amazon’s Kuiper is also looking for approval Start the service when ready.

The Indian government should still share details in the spectrum that will separate satellite internet companies. In late 2023, the government has allocated spectra for satellite services through a special payment To submit a new Telecom bill. However, the required exact requirements and payment must still be announced.

SpaceX did not respond to a request for comment.