India's New Space Age: Easing Regulations for Satellite Communication

Matilda
India's New Space Age: Easing Regulations for Satellite Communication
India is poised to enter a new era of satellite communication as the government considers relaxing security regulations to align with global standards. This move could pave the way for companies like Elon Musk's Starlink and Jeff Bezos's Amazon Kuiper to offer satellite-based telecom services within the country. The Need for Regulatory Flexibility Currently, entities seeking satcom licenses in India must adhere to a stringent set of 30-40 conditions under the Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) system. While some of these stipulations may be relaxed, the specific rules that will be affected remain uncertain. The Department of Telecommunications and law enforcement agencies have been engaged in discussions regarding potential amendments. However, national security remains a paramount concern. Starlink and Amazon Kuiper: A Global Race to Connect India Both Starlink and Amazon Kuiper have submitted applications for GMPCS licenses in India. While Starlink has alre…