Elon Musk's ambitious satellite internet venture, Starlink, is on the cusp of a major breakthrough as it edges closer to obtaining approval from the Indian government. According to sources reported by Money Control, regulatory consent for Starlink could be granted as early as next week, marking a significant milestone for the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
The DPIIT has reportedly expressed satisfaction with Starlink's clarification on its shareholding pattern, a crucial aspect that had been under scrutiny. This positive development now opens the door for the impending approval, positioning Starlink to become the third company, after Jio Satellite Communications and OneWeb, to secure the necessary licenses for providing satellite communication services in India.
Insiders familiar with the matter have hinted that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) might issue a letter of intent (LoI) to Starlink as early as Wednesday. However, SpaceX, the aerospace manufacturer and space transportation company founded by Elon Musk, has yet to respond to inquiries regarding this potential breakthrough.
The final stages of the approval process involve the DoT preparing a note for the consideration and approval of Neeraj Mittal, the telecom Secretary, and Ashwani Vaishnav, the Minister of Communications. Once the green light is given by these key figures, the Satellite Communications Wing (SCW) of the department will officially grant the necessary approvals to Starlink, paving the way for the commencement of its services in the Indian market.
Despite Mittal's current engagement in the United States for the PanIIT 2024 Event in Washington DC and Minister Vaishnav's participation in the World Economic Forum in Davos, the regulatory processes are expected to progress swiftly upon their return. Starlink's potential entry into the Indian telecommunications landscape is anticipated to bring about substantial advancements and reshape the connectivity landscape in the country.
