New Delhi, November 2, 2024 - Elon Musk's Starlink and Amazon's satellite internet services are encountering potential delays in India due to additional security compliance requests from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
The Indian government has invited suggestions on spectrum allocation and pricing for satellite internet, but the DoT's new demands could hinder the launch timelines for these companies.
Starlink and Amazon Web Services must complete security-related compliance to advance their applications for satellite internet in India. In contrast, Airtel's Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio's SES have already received the necessary approvals.
According to a report from The Economic Times, the DoT has issued a formal notice to Starlink and Amazon, with reminders to follow if responses are not timely. Officials emphasized the sensitivity of certain areas in India regarding national security, necessitating detailed documentation on data protection and coverage areas from satellite providers.
Approval of these documents is crucial for the government to permit Starlink and Amazon's market entry. The satellite internet sector in India is becoming increasingly competitive, with Airtel, Jio, and Vodafone Idea preparing to offer both terrestrial and satellite-based services.
Starlink applied for the Global Mobile Personal Communication Satellite Service (GMPCS) license in October 2022, with Amazon submitting its application last year. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is also collecting feedback on pricing and conditions for satellite internet spectrum, as competition in this sector is expected to foster innovation and enhance internet accessibility.