NEW DELHI: Elon Musk’s Starlink has received approval from In-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion Authorization Centre) to commence satellite internet services in India. The nod has been granted to Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited, Starlink’s Indian subsidiary.
Earlier, the Ministry of Telecommunications had also granted operational approval to Starlink. With the In-SPACe clearance, the company has overcome a major hurdle in starting its operations in India. In-SPACe has granted Starlink permission to operate for a period of five years.
The final step for Starlink to begin offering internet services in India will be the allocation of spectrum. In-SPACe has also granted approval to SES, which is collaborating with Jio to bring satellite internet services to India.
Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited, based in Delhi, has been authorized to provide internet services via Starlink Generation-1 LEO (Low Earth Orbit). Starlink Generation-1 is a global constellation comprising 4,408 satellites orbiting at an altitude of between 540 and 570 kilometers from Earth. This decision is expected to facilitate the provision of high-speed internet services, including in remote areas of India.
