DoT Brakes Starlink And Amazon’s Satellite Plans

According to sources, the DoT (Department of Telecommunication) has imposed security requirements on Elon Musk’s Starlink and Jeff Bezos’s Amazon Kuiper before approving satellite communication. The Economic Times reported that both companies need to provide detailed compliance information about data security, coverage areas, etc. However, Bharti-backed OneWeb Reliance Jio’s partnership with SES has already received approval from the government. 

An official associated with the whole matter shared that the department has sent letters to both companies and is waiting for their reply. The official added, “Their applications can be processed only after they submit the compliance.”

According to the security guidelines, both companies must prevent their terminals from communicating when longitude and latitude change. It is to prevent unauthorised access and misuse of the internet in India’s bordering countries. Elon Musk’s Starlink has shared a declaration on it; none of its investors are from countries sharing a border with India, and the government has accepted that declaration. 

The government is extra cautious about security because of the risks. The DoT is planning to make sure that satellite terminals near border areas are securely monitored and controlled. Meanwhile, traditional telecom operators like Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, and Vodafone Idea argue that satellite companies should be subject to the same regulations and liabilities as terrestrial operators.