New Delhi: Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia stated on Tuesday that Elon Musk’s Starlink will only receive a licence in India once it meets the necessary security regulations. He emphasized that the satellite communication service must complete its compliance with the country’s requirements before the licence can be granted.
Scindia shared that the government is open to issuing the licence once Starlink addresses all security concerns. He remarked, "We are ready to issue the licence if they fulfill the conditions. It’s crucial to prioritize security. When they achieve that, we will be delighted to provide them with a licence."
Currently, the Indian government has issued licences to OneWeb, which is backed by the Bharti Group, and the joint venture Jio Satellite Communications, formed by Jio and SES. However, both companies are waiting to start operations as they await spectrum allocation, which is still being finalized.
Sources indicate that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) is expected to finalize recommendations on the rules for spectrum allocation for satellite communications by December 15. This will allow the government to evaluate these recommendations and determine how to allocate spectrum, paving the way for satellite-based broadband services across the country.
When asked about the request from Vodafone Idea for a waiver on Rs 24,700 crore in bank guarantees, Scindia noted that any decisions made by the government will not be specific to any one company but will impact the broader sector. He highlighted the necessity of having multiple players in the telecom market, stating, "India has one of the largest numbers of national telecom providers in the world."
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has urged Vodafone Idea to submit bank guarantees for their spectrum payments due next September, as required under the rules. The DoT is also in discussions with the finance ministry regarding the possibility of granting telcos an exemption from these bank guarantees.
Scindia expressed optimism about the growth of the telecom sector over the past two and a half years, highlighting notable achievements, including India’s advancement in developing its own 4G technology. He mentioned that the rollout of 1 lakh mobile towers by BSNL, which will support 4G and later move to indigenously developed 5G technology, is expected by mid-2023.
He underlined, "India is not just leading in services but also in technology. We have made significant strides in international organizations, with our technology proposals being recognized globally."
In reference to MTNL, the minister assured that there were no concerns about the debt it has incurred, as it is backed by a sovereign guarantee, and its operations will be absorbed by BSNL.
On the subject of telecom operators seeking revenue shares from over-the-top (OTT) services such as WhatsApp and Zoom, Scindia mentioned that he has formed an advisory committee to discuss these matters, signaling a willingness to engage in dialogue with stakeholders.
