Govt Refutes Musk’s Remarks, Says India’s Satellite Communication Framework Is ‘Fair and Non-Discriminatory’

The Centre on Thursday rejected Elon Musk’s allegation that India’s regulatory framework for satellite communication services was being applied in a discriminatory manner, describing his remarks as “baseless and misconceived”.

The Ministry of Communications issued the clarification a day after the SpaceX founder and CEO alleged on social media that Starlink was being “blocked by certain oligarchs” in India to protect their “monopolistic chokehold” over the country.

Refuting the allegation, the ministry said the government has established a fair and non-discriminatory authorisation framework for all telecommunications services, including satellite communication.

The government said licences have been granted to three Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite service providers based on non-geosynchronous satellite orbit technology, as part of its efforts to facilitate satellite communication services in India.

The ministry also said all licensees are required to demonstrate compliance with prescribed security conditions before proceeding further.

“Under this, telecom licences have been granted to three Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite services based on non-geosynchronous satellite orbit-based satellite communications, as part of its commitment to enable provision of satellite communication services in India,” the ministry said.

It added that security assessments are currently underway for all three licensees.

“This is aimed at ensuring that services provided meet various security requirements to ensure the safety of all users and their data. Security assessment as part of this process is currently underway in respect of all the three licensees,” the statement said.

According to the ministry, once the security assessment process is completed for a licensed entity, it can proceed to the next stage of seeking spectrum assignment.

The Centre said all three entities are currently at broadly the same stage of the regulatory process, rejecting the suggestion that Starlink was being singled out.

“At present, all the three entities are at broadly the same regulatory stage. As such, the suggestion that the framework or its application is unfair or discriminatory is baseless and misconceived,” the ministry said.

Musk’s remarks came as Starlink continues to await final clearances to commence commercial satellite internet services in India.