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Time of India
09-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Satcom permit may force Starlink to share information on illegal kits seized
Elon Musk 's Starlink's satcom permit from the Indian government will make it mandatory for the company to share information, including details of users or owners of satellite kits seized in the country, particularly in the North-East region in the past few months, information the US company was unwilling to share earlier. India's security agencies have pointed out the misuse of Starlink devices in Indian territory, especially in the border areas, officials said. But the Musk company hasn't been cooperating in sharing details of those devices. Officials said Starlink asked the security agencies to put their requests either via the US law enforcement or international protocols. This had forced the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to write to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in March to investigate the matter, officials aware of the details told ET. The DoT is yet to submit a report to the MHA. But officials say, now that a satcom license has been given to Starlink, it will have no choice but to share those details. Else, the company could be issued a show cause notice and even face revocation of license. An ET query sent to SpaceX, parent of Starlink, remained unanswered. ETtech Live Events Various ministries coordinate when it comes to national security. Since commercial satellite communication services, particularly through low earth orbit (LEO) operators like Starlink, is a new phenomenon, its impact is yet to be ascertained. However, the security agencies have seized some terminals that were active in the Indian territory in the Northeast region and sought details of the owners. Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories The DoT was asked to investigate the matter and take preventive measures to safeguard national interests. Experts believe that the situation may become more complicated as Bhutan and Bangladesh are now commercially offering Starlink services and the terminals may be smuggled into Indian territory as geofencing the exact location of the international border will have limitations. Security is topmost priority when it comes to satcom and so far, none of the three licensees-Bharti group-backer Eutelsat OneWeb, Reliance Jio-SES and Starlink-have got security clearances, hobbling commercial services. While Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio-SES joint ventures have got trial spectrum and conducted demonstrations for security requirements, Starlink is yet to be given such airwaves. The US company was given a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite permit only last week. Officials said while the Jio-SES demonstrations are almost over, it is expected to take more time for Eutelsat-OneWeb. Both OneWeb and Jio-SES have satcom permits and nods from space regulator IN-SPACe for over two years. In contrast, Starlink is yet to receive the nod from the regulator.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Starlink becomes latest entrant to get a satcom licence in India
Starlink has become the latest entrant to get a satcom licence in India, becoming the third player after Eutelsat-OneWeb and Jio-SES combine to offer commercial services in India. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued the Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) permit to the Elon Musk-owned company and trial spectrum too will be issued to it in coming days. Once the spectrum is allocated, the company has to demonstrate all the compliances to the government, including the security conditions. The US major, however, needs to get the approval from space regulator Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe). The company had already provided all the details needed to get this clearance, but the nod is yet to be given. The launch of commercial services depends on the company successfully demonstrating the compliance of security conditions. The DoT is finalising the pricing and rules for satcom spectrum allocation after receiving recommendations from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai). The regulator had recommended administrative allocation of satcom spectrum for a fee pegged at 4% of adjusted gross revenue (AGR) to be assigned for five years. Satcom companies offering services in urban areas would have to shell out Rs 500 per subscriber annually, but nothing for rural users. However, there won't be any upfront charge or allocation price for satellite spectrum. The telcos have termed the prices as unjustifiably low but the calls for a reconsideration have been rejected by the regulator.
India Gazette
04-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Starlink to launch satellite network service in South Korea
Seoul [South Korea], June 4 (ANI): Elon Musk's SpaceX will launch Starlink satellite internet service in South Korea, following the approval from government authorities last week, reports the Korean Herald. This launch will mark the rollout of a Low Earth orbit, or LEO, satellite network in the country, which would provide high-speed connectivity in remote and unreachable areas. Seoul's Ministry of Science and ICT gave approval to Starlink for a supply agreement. While a similar type of deal was offered to Hanwha Systems and KT Sat, which are resellers of the UK-based Eutelsat-OneWeb, another low-orbit service provider. According to SK Telink, Starlink's local partner, said that it plans to begin the service as soon as the final regulatory step is cleared -- the conformity assessment of antennas it uses to receive satellite signals, said the report of the Korea Herald. The LEO satellite communication services rely on antennas to receive signals from satellites, unlike conventional mobile networks, where smartphones communicate directly with base stations on the ground. LEO satellite communication services are a high-speed, low-latency internet service which is expected to be particularly helpful for aircraft and maritime vessels, where internet access is local partner aims to expand its product line to include maritime and aviation-specific packages, as well as packages for public institutions. 'When low-orbit satellite telecommunication services launch in Korea, high-speed wifi networks will be available in aeroplanes and vessels,' said ICT Minister Yoo Sang-im. 'For sailors on long voyages, the ability to stream video and make video calls will significantly improve life on board,' he added. Recently, Starlink officially started operations in Bangladesh, which is likely to provide speeds up to 300 Megabits per second (Mbps) in the country. India's major telecom operators, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, have partnered with Starlink to provide Satcom services in India. Starlink's application to provide services in India is pending approval by the Department of Telecommunications. The Indian government has clarified that spectrum for Satcom services will be allotted administratively and not by auction, so that affordable services can be provided to consumers. (ANI)
