1 hr ago
Scindia Says India Won’t Allow Monopoly in Satellite Communications
India is deciding how companies can provide satellite internet.
Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said the country will not let one company control the whole field.
He named Reliance Jio, OneWeb and Starlink as companies that have licences.
Amazon is also interested in getting a licence.
The government is working on rules for how the services will be priced.
Each company must also meet security requirements.
After that, the companies can seek permission to use spectrum and move toward starting service.
Elon Musk says Starlink is being held back by powerful business interests, but the government says the licensed companies are at similar stages in the process.
Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said India would not allow a monopoly in satellite communications.
He named Reliance Jio, OneWeb and Starlink as the three companies with licences; Amazon is also interested in obtaining one.
Scindia said the government is close to deciding the pricing framework for satellite communication services.
All licensed operators must individually meet security requirements before moving toward commercial operations.
Elon Musk alleged Starlink was being blocked by powerful business interests; the Communications Ministry said operators were at broadly the same regulatory stage.
- Who
- Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Elon Musk, and satellite communications operators including Reliance Jio, OneWeb and Starlink.
- What
- Scindia said India will not allow a monopoly and outlined licensing, pricing and security steps for satellite communications.
- Where
- India.
- When
- Friday; the articles also refer to a government-Musk dispute on Thursday.
- Why
- The government is setting the pricing framework and requiring security compliance before licensed operators can move toward commercial service.
Government
Elon Musk
Whether Starlink is being unfairly blocked
Government
The Communications Ministry rejected claims of unfair treatment and said licensed operators were at broadly the same regulatory stage, with security assessments under way.
Elon Musk
Musk alleged that powerful business interests were blocking Starlink despite the company spending five years complying with Indian requirements.
Conditions for commercial service
Government
Scindia said all operators must individually fulfil security requirements and follow the licensing process; pricing rules are also being finalised.
Elon Musk
Musk's complaints focused on Starlink's licences allegedly being blocked; the articles do not provide further details of his position on the stated regulatory requirements.
Key facts
- Minister
- Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Communications Minister
- Licensed operators named
- Reliance Jio, OneWeb and Starlink
- Additional interested company
- Amazon
- Pending framework
- Pricing for satellite communication services
- Required before operations
- Individual compliance with security requirements and milestones
- Next regulatory step
- Operators that complete the required process can seek spectrum assignment
- Musk's allegation
- Starlink was being blocked by powerful business interests despite years of compliance efforts
- Ministry's position
- The three licensed operators were at broadly the same regulatory stage, with security assessments under way
Quotes
Jyotiraditya Scindia
India's Union Communications Minister
“Let me be very clear. India does not allow a monopoly in any sector. And therefore, even as Satcom is concerned there is not a single licensee that has been chosen. Licences have been given to everyone who wants to provide these licenses. And today there are three licences that are out there.”
NDTV
republicworld.com
Sources
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