Elon Musk's Starlink has achieved a significant milestone by securing a crucial Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) licence from India's Department of Telecommunications (DoT). This approval marks a pivotal step, bringing the satellite internet service provider closer to launching its commercial operations in the country. Starlink now joins Eutelsat-OneWeb and the Reliance Jio-SES combine as the third entity to receive such authorisation, positioning it to offer satellite-based communication services across India.

Following the GMPCS permit, Starlink is expected to be issued trial spectrum in the coming days. Once the spectrum is allocated, the company must successfully demonstrate compliance with all government regulations, including stringent security conditions. Additionally, Starlink requires approval from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe). While the company has reportedly submitted all necessary details for this clearance, the final nod is still pending. The commercial launch of Starlink's services in India is contingent upon successfully meeting these regulatory and security compliances.

The Department of Telecommunications is currently in the process of finalizing the pricing and rules for satcom spectrum allocation. This follows recommendations from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), which suggested an administrative allocation of satcom spectrum. According to Trai's proposal, the spectrum would be assigned for five years with a fee pegged at 4% of the adjusted gross revenue (AGR).

Trai's recommended fee structure includes an annual charge of Rs 500 per subscriber for satcom companies offering services in urban areas, while services for rural users would not incur this fee. Importantly, there would be no upfront charge or allocation price for the satellite spectrum. This pricing model has been met with criticism from some telecom operators who deem the prices unjustifiably low. However, Trai has reportedly rejected calls for a reconsideration of these recommendations.

Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia confirmed Starlink's authorisation and highlighted the government's process: licensing followed by spectrum allocation. He expressed confidence that satellite telecom services will soon be fully operational in India at a rapid pace, leading to substantial growth in the customer base. The minister emphasized that Starlink's satellite connectivity represents a significant addition to India's telecommunications landscape, which has evolved from fixed lines to mobile, broadband, optical fibre, and now, robust satellite connectivity.

Minister Scindia also underscored the critical role of satellite communication services in expanding internet coverage, particularly in hard-to-reach regions. He pointed out that in areas where establishing traditional infrastructure like cables and towers is challenging, satellite technology offers an effective solution to bridge the digital divide and ensure comprehensive connectivity across the nation.