Starlink Must Comply With Security Norms to Get Satellite Broadband Licence

Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday stated that Elon Musk's Starlink must comply with all the conditions and security norms to get a licence to provide satellite broadband services in the country.

According to Scindia, they will look at it from a security perspective, making sure all security concerns are addressed. Once they do that, the government will be happy to give the permission.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) is currently finalising its recommendations for satcom spectrum pricing and other terms. Currently, satellite Internet providers such as Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio-SES have got the licence to provide satellite internet broadband services.

Scindia explained that there is a specific format that Starlink needs to follow, and if they check all the boxes, they will get the licence. The security guidelines mandate the company to store all data in the country, and cooperation on data interception by intelligence agencies is also a pre-condition before getting the licence.

When asked about possible government support for MTNL's bank debts, Scindia said that bank debts will have to be settled between the banks and the organisation (MTNL).

However, he added that the government will back the company on sovereign guarantee debts. The ministry level has not discussed with the banks on MTNL dues, but the government will follow due process.

The communications minister also spoke about the recent default by MTNL on various loan payments. He mentioned that MTNL's total debt stands at Rs 32,100 crore and added that any step taken by the government for relief to telecom companies will be from a sectoral perspective.

In other news, Scindia praised the efforts of Sanchar Saathi in disconnecting over 250 million fraudulent mobile connections and blocking 229,000 mobile handsets involved in cybercrime and financial frauds.