Elon Musk's Starlink May Finally Begin Offering Internet Services In India Soon

This story was first published on the Benzinga India portal.

Elon Musk's ambitious Starlink project, a subsidiary of his SpaceX venture, is preparing to make a significant impact on India's internet services. The proposal from Starlink, which had been on hold due to national security concerns, is now showing signs of progress.

According to a report from the Times of India, a forthcoming high-level meeting might finally address Starlink's application for a global mobile personal communications satellite (GMPCS) services license. Insiders suggest approval is probable, but they also warn of potential last-minute impediments.

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Obtaining this license is just the first step for Starlink. Additional approvals from various government departments, including the space department, are still required. Local Competitors such as Sunil Mittal's One Web and Mukesh Ambani's Jio have already obtained their GMPCS licenses.

Starlink faced initial setbacks in India in 2021 when it began accepting advance payments without a license. This misstep resulted in a stern reprimand and a wave of refunds.

Starlink operates by deploying thousands of satellites to orbit Earth, ensuring high-speed internet access globally. Currently, 4,519 satellites populate the skies, with a staggering 4,487 actively transmitting data, according to Astronomer Jonathan McDowell.

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