Post by : Badri Ariffin

SpaceX's satellite internet initiative, Starlink, is gearing up to enter India with plans for nine gateway stations in key cities like Mumbai, Noida, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Lucknow. These installations are vital for Starlink’s ambition to roll out satellite internet services throughout the country.

The company has sought permission for a capacity of 600 gigabits per second over India via its Gen 1 satellite constellation. Officials reported that this capacity is temporarily assigned to help Starlink align with the nation’s security regulations.

Security Protocols and Evaluations

Due to the sensitive nature of satellite communication, the Indian government has enacted strict regulations. Starlink has received interim authorization to utilize specific radio frequencies for system testing and to import 100 satellite terminals for non-commercial evaluation.

Key stipulations include:

• Ground stations will be operated exclusively by Indian nationals until foreign personnel obtain security clearance.

• All testing data must be retained within India’s borders.

• Regular updates on equipment and operations must be submitted to authorities.

Starlink is the third entity, following OneWeb and Jio Satellite, to secure approval for such security-centric trials. Full commercial operations will commence only upon clearance from security agencies.

Concerns Over Unauthorized Devices

Earlier this year, reports surfaced of unauthorized Starlink devices being utilized in sensitive border regions, including Manipur and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Elon Musk clarified that these claims were untrue, affirming that Starlink signals in India were inactive.

Through these measures, Starlink is preparing for a meticulous and secure launch, aligning its satellite internet innovations with India’s security imperatives.

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