Starlink, India Edge Closer: Elon Musk's Satellite Internet Nears Approval

Elon Musk's satellite internet company, Starlink, is on the cusp of receiving Indian government permission, with Money Control sources claiming that the decision might come as soon as next week.

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is apparently pleased with Starlink's clarification of its shareholding structure, clearing the path for regulatory approval.

Elon Musk Could Soon Launch Starlink Services In India

Starlink is set to become the third business, after Jio Satellite Communications and OneWeb, to gain the requisite licenses to provide satellite communication services in India. The upcoming clearance positions Starlink to make substantial contributions to the country's expanding telecoms sector.

According to sources familiar with the case, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) may issue a letter of intent (LoI) to Starlink as early as Wednesday. SpaceX, established by Elon Musk, has yet to reply to inquiries about this development.

The last steps include the DoT preparing a note for clearance by Neeraj Mittal, the telecom Secretary, and Ashwani Vaishnav, the Minister of Communications. Once their permission is achieved, the department's Satellite Communications Wing (SCW) will officially issue Starlink the necessary approvals, allowing it to begin services in India.

Minister Vaishnav is at Davos for the World Economic Forum, while Mittal is in Washington, DC, for the PanIIT 2024 event. The regulatory processes are likely to move quickly once they restart.

India's Telecom Department Nears Decision on Starlink's Operation Approval

According to industry sources quoted in financial news publications, the Indian Department of Telecommunications is actively developing a thorough note for the clearance procedure.

This note is expected to be handed to Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Communications, and Neeraj Mittal, Secretary of the Telecommunications Department, for assessment and approval.

After gaining approval from both Vaishnaw and Mittal, the Satellite Communications Wing (SCW) within the telecoms department will issue the required approvals for SpaceX, the firm behind Starlink, to begin operations in India.

Recent rumors also imply that the Letter of Intent could be issued as early as Wednesday (January 24). However, the final timing will be determined by how quickly key decision-makers in India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration approve the proposal.

If Starlink successfully completes the regulatory clearance process, it will become India's third business to offer space-based internet services. This will also place Starlink in an exclusive league with Mukesh Ambani's Jio Satellite Communications and Bharti Global-backed Eutelast OneWeb.

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