New Delhi: Elon Musk’s groundbreaking satellite internet endeavor, Starlink, is poised to secure official approval from the Indian government, with expectations of an announcement as early as next week. Reliable sources indicate that the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is content with Starlink’s comprehensive clarification regarding its shareholding structure. Upon this imminent approval, Starlink is set to join the esteemed ranks of Jio Satellite Communications and OneWeb as the third company to be granted such licenses by the Indian government.
Behind the scenes, DPIIT is diligently crafting a detailed approval note for the consideration of telecom Secretary Neeraj Mittal and Communications Minister Ashwani Vaishnav. The formal endorsement by the Satellite Communications Wing (SCW) of the department will mark the green light for Starlink, paving the way for the initiation of its transformative broadband services across India.
Sources reveal that Starlink, under Elon Musk’s dynamic leadership, swiftly addressed queries posed by the Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade. Anticipated in the coming days or by month-end, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is expected to issue a Letter of Intent (LoI) to Starlink, further solidifying its venture into the Indian market.
Despite the current overseas engagements of both Vaishnav and Mittal, attending the World Economic Forum in Davos and the PanIIT 2024 Event in Washington DC, respectively, regulatory processes are poised to progress expeditiously upon their return.
In November 2022, Elon Musk’s Starlink initiated the meticulous application process for the coveted global mobile personal communication by satellite services (GMPCS) license, marking a significant step toward revolutionizing connectivity.
