UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 17 March 2025

Home UPSC Current Affairs What is Elon Musk’s Starlink all about?

What is Elon Musk’s Starlink all about?

Why in News:

Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio have signed distribution pacts with SpaceX Corp.’s Starlink service to bring satellite internet access to India.

Introduction:

The Indian telecom sector is witnessing a transformative development with Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio signing distribution agreements with SpaceX’s Starlink to introduce satellite-based internet services in the country.
This move represents a shift from the initial reluctance of telecom operators, who had previously advocated for auctioning of satellite spectrum before Starlink’s deployment.
However, regulatory hurdles and policy uncertainties continue to shape the timeline for Starlink’s official entry into India.

What is Starlink?

Starlink is a low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation developed by Elon Musk-owned SpaceX. It consists of over 7,000 satellites that provide internet access to ground users equipped with special terminals. The system is designed to offer global coverage, making it particularly useful in remote and underserved regions where traditional wired or wireless networks are inadequate.

Key Features of Starlink Internet

High-speed Connectivity: Provides speeds of up to 100 Mbps, comparable to home broadband.
Global Coverage: Satellites orbit the Earth, ensuring coverage across the habitable world.
Latency Considerations: Higher latency than fiber broadband but sufficient for general internet usage.
Ground Station Dependence: Relies on terrestrial stations that link the network to the global internet.
Potential in Rural India: More useful in remote and rural areas lacking 5G and fiber-optic infrastructure.
Cost: These costs make Starlink substantially more expensive than traditional broadband and mobile data services in India.

Timeline of Starlink’s Entry in India

Starlink began accepting pre-orders in India before 2021, but regulatory objections led to cancellations in 2021. In 2024, the government revised its spectrum allocation policy, opening the door for Starlink’s potential entry pending regulatory approvals.

Pre-2021:
- Starlink began accepting pre-orders in India, requiring a refundable deposit of ₹7,400.
- This created significant interest, especially in rural areas lacking reliable broadband services.
2021:
- The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) raised concerns about Starlink’s operations, stating that the company did not have the necessary licenses or regulatory approvals to provide satellite-based broadband services in India.
- By this time, Starlink had already secured around 7,000 pre-orders, but following government intervention, the company was forced to cancel all pre-orders and issue refunds.
2024:
- The Indian government introduced major policy changes to regulate satellite internet providers.
- The regulatory framework now allows administrative spectrum allocation instead of auctions, marking a shift from traditional methods.
- The government has indicated that it is open to granting a license to Starlink, provided that all security and regulatory conditions are met.

Regulatory Challenges and Approval Process

GMPCS Authorisation

- SpaceX must obtain a Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite (GMPCS) license under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
- The revised regulatory framework is yet to be published, causing delays.

Security Clearance

- Clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is required due to national security concerns.
- The Indian government has demanded corporate ownership disclosure, a condition SpaceX initially resisted but later complied with.

Ground Station Operations

- Telecom regulations mandate that law enforcement agencies must have real-time access to data through installed tapping equipment.
- It remains unclear whether Starlink’s Indian ground stations meet this requirement.

Spectrum Allocation Debate

- Unlike traditional telecom spectrum, satellite spectrum consists of narrow beams that can be shared among providers.
- The Indian government has indicated that it will not auction satellite spectrum, in line with global practices.
- Reliance Jio had previously argued that spectrum allocation should follow the Supreme Court’s 2012 ruling in the 2G spectrum case, which mandated auctions for natural resources.
- However, Airtel and Jio’s recent agreements with Starlink suggest a shift in their stance.

Geopolitical Influence

- Elon Musk’s increasing ties with the U.S. government and trade pressures from President Donald Trump’s administration could influence the Indian government’s stance on approving Starlink.
- The strategic push for India-U.S. cooperation in space and digital infrastructure may accelerate regulatory approvals.

Implications of Starlink’s Entry in India

Bridging the Digital Divide
- Rural and remote areas with poor fiber and 5G penetration stand to benefit from instant satellite connectivity.
- Can enhance e-governance, telemedicine, online education, and financial inclusion in underserved regions.
Competition with Existing ISPs
- While Starlink is costlier, it provides connectivity in geographically challenging areas where traditional providers cannot reach.
- Indian telecom companies may leverage Starlink as a backup service in remote areas.
Economic and Strategic Impact
- Encourages foreign investment in India’s satellite broadband sector.
- Enhances India’s space-tech ecosystem, complementing ISRO’s satellite initiatives.
National Security Concerns
- Unlike terrestrial networks, Starlink’s decentralized infrastructure makes monitoring and interception more challenging.
- The government may enforce stricter compliance measures before granting full operational clearance.

Conclusion

Starlink’s entry into India could boost rural connectivity via satellite broadband. However, regulatory issues, spectrum allocation, and security concerns pose challenges. Partnerships with Airtel and Jio show commercial readiness, but government approval is still pending. India’s digital goals and geopolitical factors will influence Starlink’s launch timeline.