Starlink Yet to Meet Security Standards for India License

Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia stated that Starlink, owned by Elon Musk, must comply with security norms before receiving a satellite communications licence in India. Existing licence holders OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications await spectrum allocation. Meanwhile, Vodafone Idea seeks exemption from submitting bank guarantees for spectrum payment.

Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced that Elon Musk's Starlink is yet to meet the security requirements necessary to secure a satellite communications licence in India.

Current licence holders, OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications, are still awaiting spectrum allocation, as the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) finalizes rules for spectrum pricing. Scindia expressed India's openness to issuing a licence once Starlink meets all conditions.

In the meantime, Vodafone Idea seeks exemption from providing bank guarantees for spectrum payments, citing recent auction rule changes. Scindia emphasized that any government action would impact the entire sector rather than being company-specific.

(With inputs from agencies.)