The Indian government has set strict conditions for Elon Musk’s Starlink, including the establishment of a local control center and compliance with telecommunications interception laws. Starlink is engaging with officials to meet these requirements, emphasizing the importance of local oversight for security.
The Indian government has imposed stringent conditions for the entry of Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service into the country. A key requirement includes establishing a local control center in India. This center is crucial for managing law-and-order situations that may necessitate the immediate suspension of satellite communications. A source indicated, “We cannot be expected to knock on their (Starlink’s) doors or approach their headquarters in the US whenever such an exigency arises.” Starlink has committed to reviewing this condition with the government.
Additionally, to comply with Indian telecom regulations, Starlink must adhere to interception requirements. This means that satellite communications cannot be routed directly through the satellite network. Instead, all calls must return to an Indian gateway and be redirected through standard communication channels. For instance, a call from an Indian satellite phone to France would initially travel via satellite but would be rerouted through India before using conventional infrastructure, such as undersea cables. Representatives from Starlink have been actively engaging with government officials to address these security and compliance concerns.
The Indian government’s conditions for Starlink’s operations highlight the need for local oversight in communication services for security reasons. The establishment of a control center and adherence to telecom regulations regarding call routing are pivotal steps toward ensuring compliance and safety within the country. Starlink’s continued engagement with Indian officials demonstrates a willingness to navigate these stringent requirements for market entry.
Original Source: m.economictimes.com
