Starlink Nears Indian License Amid Spectrum Debate

Elon Musk's Starlink is poised to gain a license to operate in India, contingent upon meeting the country's stringent security and data localization requirements. Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has affirmed that once Starlink complies with all necessary regulations, primarily focusing on security concerns, it will receive the necessary permits. This development comes amid ongoing debates around satellite spectrum allocation, where Starlink supports administrative allocation in contrast to Indian telecom giants like Reliance Jio, which advocate for auctions. Starlink has already committed 'in principle' to adhere to these regulatory norms, marking significant progress in their application for a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite Services (GMPCS) license. This move aligns with India's broader strategy to allocate satellite spectrum administratively, as per international standards, potentially easing entry for international satellite broadband providers. Meanwhile, Starlink continues its global expansion, recently obtaining a license to operate in Chad, highlighting its role in bridging connectivity gaps in underserved regions.