Starlink may soon offer satellite internet services in India

Elon Musk's Starlink will soon offer satellite internet services in India. Department of Telecommunication officials are likely to meet on September 20 to decide whether to permit Starlink to operate within the country through a proper license. Starlink's satellite internet services are available in 32 countries worldwide. Starlink reportedly applied for a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite license with the DoT last year. 

Starlink opened pre-booking channels in India in 2021. However, the government forced the company to shut pre-booking channels and rather apply for a licence to operate. According to Starlink's official website, it still awaits "regulatory approval." 

The report, quoting an official, notes, "We didn't want to encourage any company to give services without licenses. We experienced it in the case of Skype, we couldn't bring the company into a licensing regime. Now, it is out of our ambit, not following any regulation." 

The official also stated that other internet-based services, also known as OTT, should be brought under a licensing regime to ensure the safety of Indian users.  

The official added, "If these OTT players are under the licensing regime, they are obliged to follow government directions. In case of any incidents like in Nuh or Manipur, we could have directed these apps to stop their services without having to disconnect entire internet services."