SpaceX should seek permit before launching Starlink broadband in India, says DoT

In India, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is directing Musk’s company SpaceX to apply for the required licenses before offering any service in the country. Musk in a tweet has noted that Starlink will become mobile at the end of this year.

Ever since Elon-Musk backed company Space X opened Starlink for pre-orders in India, there has been a lot of speculation if the broadband plans, currently in the beta testing phase will materialise in the country. Despite facing regulatory hurdles, Starlink’s website for pre orders, which will be completely refundable, is still functioning for Indian users, while some reports have noted that the broadband services will start their operations in India next year after the company gets required licenses for the same. In India, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is directing Musk’s company SpaceX to acquire the required licenses before offering any service in the country. DoT will write to SpaceX seeking details for its plans in India, and to understand if the company requires internet service provider (ISP) and very small aperture terminal (VSAT) service authorisations, or if it requires one license to offer high-speed satellite internet services here, ET Telecom first reported.