The Indian government is taking a cautious approach with two major US-based satellite companies, requiring them to meet strict security conditions before their applications can be processed.
The Department of Telecommunications (DOT) has imposed strict security requirements on Elon Musk’s Starlink and Jeff Bezos’s Amazon before approving their satellite communication services in India. Both companies must provide detailed compliance information regarding data security, coverage area, and other key parameters.
Bharti-backed OneWeb and Reliance Jio’s deal with SES has already obtained approval. Starlink and Amazon, however, are still in the waiting line as their applications involve further security checks. The DOT has also written letters to both US-based companies recently, awaiting their responses.
“Their applications can be processed only after they submit the compliance. The firms have so far not replied,” a source close to the matter revealed.
“There are various security-related compliances as well as those related to data, coverage area etc which satcom providers have to give to the government in order to offer services in India. All the boxes need to be ticked,” said another official.
According to official, of the two big US-based satellite applications, no decision has been reached on processing their applications before the companies agree upon all security conditions. Multiple security-related compliances, data protection, and required coverage area are some of them.
To prevent misuse, terminals have to cut communications whenever a change in position latitude and longitude occur. Starlink had claimed it has no investors from the land bordering India.
Security concerns, the DOT feels, border risks on possible vulnerabilities regarding strategic satellite communications. It wants its regional areas to be thus monitored and controlled by the satellite terminals in a safe manner.
As TRAI finalizes satellite spectrum pricing and terms, established telecom providers, Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, and Vodafone Idea advocate for regulatory parity with satellite companies.