6 hrs ago
Eutelsat OneWeb Seeks India Security Clearance Amid Launch Delays
Eutelsat OneWeb wants to start offering satellite internet in India.
It is waiting for an important security approval from the Indian government.
OneWeb says it has provided the required information and answered questions from law enforcement agencies.
The approval checks issues such as lawful interception, network monitoring, and where important network functions are located.
OneWeb has already built ground stations and other infrastructure in India.
The company is worried that some of its older satellites may stop working before the service begins.
It also needs spectrum permission after receiving security clearance.
OneWeb plans to mainly serve businesses, while Starlink is targeting individual consumers.
Jio Satellite is another company waiting for approval to provide satellite communications in India.
Eutelsat OneWeb has urged India’s Department of Telecommunications to expedite its pending security clearance for satellite broadband services.
The company completed a security compliance demonstration in January 2025 and says it submitted requested information and answered additional queries.
OneWeb has established gateways in Mehsana, Gujarat, and Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, plus points of presence in Mumbai and Chennai.
The company operates more than 600 low Earth orbit satellites, but some are nearing or have reached the end of their operational lives.
Even after security approval, OneWeb will need spectrum assignment before commercially launching services in India.
- Who
- Eutelsat OneWeb, a Bharti Group-backed satellite communications provider.
- What
- The company is seeking urgent security clearance to launch satellite broadband services in India.
- Where
- India, with planned infrastructure connected through gateways in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu and points of presence in Mumbai and Chennai.
- When
- OneWeb conducted its security compliance demonstration in January 2025 and has reportedly awaited approval for more than 18 months.
- Why
- The clearance is required before launch, and delays could leave some ageing satellites unusable before commercial operations begin.
Key facts
- Security clearance
- Covers lawful interception, network monitoring, and localisation of critical network functions.
- IN-SPACe authorisation
- Granted to OneWeb in November 2023 to provide satellite constellation capacity in India.
- GMPCS licence
- OneWeb received the Department of Telecommunications permit in August 2021.
- Indian infrastructure
- Gateways are located in Mehsana, Gujarat, and Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu; points of presence are in Mumbai and Chennai.
- Satellite constellation
- OneWeb operates more than 600 low Earth orbit satellites.
- ISRO launches
- The Indian Space Research Organisation launched 72 OneWeb satellites on two dedicated LVM3 missions in October 2022 and March 2023.
- Remaining requirement
- OneWeb must obtain spectrum assignment after security approval before commercial launch.
Sources
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