After months of security concerns, Elon Musk‘s satellite company, Starlink, may soon receive approval from India’s Telecom Ministry to offer its services.
According to Economic Times yesterday, a high-level meeting scheduled for later this month will address Starlink’s proposal for a global mobile personal communication by satellite (GMPCS) services license. While approval appears likely, potential last-minute issues could cause delays.
After obtaining the GMPCS license, Starlink will require additional approvals from various government departments as well as the Department of Space before it can officially accept orders and begin operations.
Currently, Sunil Mittal-backed One Web and Jio, in collaboration with Luxembourg-based SES and led by Mukesh Ambani, have obtained GMPCS licenses. Project Kuiper by Jeff Bezos is also expected to enter the Indian market.
When Starlink, a division of Musk’s SpaceX aerospace company, first entered the Indian market in 2021, it encountered difficulties.
The company was chastised by the Telecom Ministry for accepting advance payments from subscribers before obtaining a license, the ET report stated.