When will Elon Musk’s Starlink launch in India? Union Telecom Min Jyotiraditya Scindia responds

Union Telecommunications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said satellite internet services provider Starlink, owned by American businessman Elon Musk, will be able to operate in India once it complies with all security requirements and secures a licence.

Responding to presspersons on a question regarding Starlink’s operations in India, Scindia said, “They (Starlink) have to comply with all rules to get the licence. You have to look at it from security perspective as well. They are in the process of doing it. Once all requirements are met they will get the licence," PTI reported.

Reportedly, Musk’s Starlink and Amazon head Jeff Bezos' Kuiper have agreed to India’s data security regulations and have consented to fulfil Centre’s data localisation and security requirements. As per the security guidelines, a satellite communications company operating in India must store all data within the country only, Moneycontrol reported.

At present, the government has issued licences to Bharti Group-backed OneWeb and Jio-SES joint venture of Jio Satellite Communications for operating satellite-based internet services in India. 

The development comes amid speculations that United States President-elect Donald Trump is considering a key role for the businessman in his administration. Elon Musk fully backed Trump during the recently concluded crucial polls and even made a whopping $1 million donation for Trump's presidential race. A day after the poll results, Musk’s net worth surpassed $300 billion.

In 2021, when Starlink took pre-booking for its services in India, the Department of Telecommunications had directed the firm to refrain from taking subscriptions as it lacked licences to operate in India. The department had also advised the public not to subscribe to Starlink’s services.