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NDTV
an hour ago
- Business
- NDTV
Elon Musk's Starlink Gets Satellite Internet Permit In India
New Delhi: Elon Musk-led Starlink has received a licence to launch satellite service in India, and a framework for spectrum allocation is also in place for a smooth rollout, Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Thursday. The announcement was made on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the first cellular call made in the country in 1995. "Starlink has been granted a Unified License to launch satellite internet services in India. Frameworks for spectrum allocation and gateway establishment are ready, ensuring smooth rollout," Mr Scindia said. Along with Starlink, Bharti Group-backed Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio SES are also awaiting spectrum allocation to roll out their satcom services. The minister said that over the last 11 years, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's digital transformation has been nothing short of extraordinary. "From remote villages to bustling cities, digital access has empowered citizens, bridged divides, and made India a global leader in affordable, inclusive technology," he added. The minister said telephone connections in the country now stand at 1.2 billion, and internet subscriptions have surged by nearly 286 per cent to 970 million. "Broadband usage has seen explosive growth of over 1,450 per cent, rising from 60 million in 2014 to 944 million today. Most notably, the cost of mobile data has dropped by 96.6 per cent, making India the global leader in affordable data at just Rs 8.9 per GB," he said. Mr Scindia said the revival of BSNL has been a major breakthrough. "For the first time in 18 years, BSNL reported back-to-back net profits of Rs 262 crore and Rs 280 crore in FY 2024-25. Over 83,000 4G sites have been installed, with 74,000 already operational, all built on indigenously developed technology. Crack Teams, AI-powered monitoring, and fibre fault resolution within 12 hours have raised service standards across the board," the minister noted. He said India's rapid 5G rollout has covered 99.6 per cent of districts, with 4.74 lakh 5G towers and 300 million users. "With the world's highest per capita 5G usage (32 GB per month) and 100 Use Case Labs in place, India is also among the top six countries in 6G patent filings. Investments under the Production Linked Incentive scheme have touched Rs 4,305 crore, resulting in Rs 85,391 crore in sales and over 28,000 jobs. Foreign direct investment has nearly tripled from USD 282 million to USD 710 million," the minister added. Commenting on the 30th anniversary of the first cellular call in India, telecom industry body COAI Director General SP Kochhar said India's telecom sector has witnessed a phenomenal transformation since the country's first cellular call in 1995. "Today, India stands as the world's second-largest telecom market, boasting over 1.2 billion subscribers and some of the most affordable tariff rates globally. An Indian subscriber now uses over 21 GB of data each month on average, which is a testament to the world-class infrastructure developed by leading Indian telecom operators," Mr Kocchar said. He said that the mobile service landscape in the country started with 2G and now over 85 per cent of India's population and more than 99 per cent of the districts in India enjoy access to 5G services. Domestic telecom gear maker HFCL managing director Mahendra Nahata said that while the late 1990s and early 2000s saw a rapid expansion of mobile infrastructure, the sector truly came of age with the advent of affordable services and innovative prepaid models that made mobile access available to millions across both major cities and remote villages. "While India followed the global curve during the 2G and 3G eras and caught up with the world in 4G, it surprised many by emerging as the country with the fastest 5G rollout in the world. Now, with a bold vision to lead in future technologies, India is actively working on developing 6G, not just to adopt, but to help shape and set global standards," Mr Nahata said. Telecom gear maker GX Group CEO Paritosh Prajapati said as India marks the 30th anniversary of its first cellular call, the country stands at a defining moment in the journey of self-reliance. "The telecom sector has been the backbone of our digital transformation, and initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme are ensuring that India doesn't just consume technology, but designs, develops and manufactures it for the world. The next three decades will belong to a truly Atmanirbhar Bharat, leading global innovation from within our borders," Prajapati said.
India Today
9 hours ago
- Business
- India Today
Starlink gets licence to begin India ops, way cleared for spectrum allocation
India has officially granted Elon Musk's Starlink a licence to provide satellite-based internet services, paving the way for the company's entry into the country's growing digital market, Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Thursday. The approval comes as India marks the 30th anniversary of its first-ever cellular call, made on July 31, 1995."Starlink has been granted a Unified License to launch satellite internet services in India. Frameworks for spectrum allocation and gateway establishment are ready, ensuring smooth rollout," news agency PTI quoted the Union minister as Department of Telecommunications (DoT) granted Starlink the authorisation earlier in July. The company had first applied for permissions in 2021 but faced delays over spectrum allocation and regulatory approvals. The recent green light follows months of engagement with Indian authorities and marks a significant step toward offering internet access in remote regions of the country. Starlink, operated by Musk's SpaceX, is expected to compete with other players such as Bharti Group-backed Eutelsat OneWeb and Reliance Jio's JV with SES, both of which are awaiting spectrum allocation to begin operations. All three companies aim to deliver high-speed internet using a constellation of low-Earth orbit (LEO) DIGITAL GROWTH STORYAnnouncing the approval, Minister Scindia also took the opportunity to reflect on India's sweeping digital progress under the Narendra Modi government. Over the past decade, India has seen a dramatic expansion in telecom and internet number of telephone connections in India now exceeds 1.2 billion, while internet subscriptions have surged nearly 286 per cent to 970 million. Broadband usage, too, has grown more than 1,450 per cent — from 60 million users in 2014 to 944 million today. Also, low data costs, now at just Rs 8.9 per GB — a drop of 96.6 per cent — make data services among the most affordable TURNAROUND AND 5G EXPANSIONSA major milestone highlighted was the financial turnaround of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), the state-run telecom operator. After nearly two decades of losses, BSNL posted net profits of Rs 262 crore and Rs 280 crore in the last two financial years. The operator has deployed over 83,000 4G sites, 74,000 of which are now operational using indigenous minister also noted the rapid rollout of 5G services across the country. As of now, 99.6 per cent of districts are covered with over 4.74 lakh 5G towers and a user base of 300 million. India also ranks among the top six countries in terms of 6G patent filings. "With the world's highest per capita 5G usage—32 GB per month—India is demonstrating strong technological leadership," Scindia ERA: A NEW CHAPTERadvertisementNow, Starlink's entry adds a fresh dimension to India's digital future, especially for regions that remain beyond the reach of traditional fiber and cellular satellite-based approach promises to bridge the urban-rural divide and improve connectivity in remote locations such as mountainous areas, islands, and border aims to provide high-speed, low-latency broadband to users across India, and is now moving forward with plans to set up local gateways and ground stations, pending final spectrum the regulatory landscape now clarified and infrastructure support in place, India's satcom sector is poised for rapid growth, complementing its already massive mobile the country celebrates three decades of mobile phone generation, it now looks ahead to a future where even the most remote corners are digitally connected—via space.- EndsWith PTI inputsMust Watch
The Print
11 hours ago
- Business
- The Print
Starlink granted satellite internet permit; spectrum allocation norms ready: Scindia
'Starlink has been granted a Unified License to launch satellite internet services in India. Frameworks for spectrum allocation and gateway establishment are ready, ensuring smooth rollout,' Scindia said. The announcement coincides with the 30th anniversary of the first cellular call made in the country in 1995. New Delhi, Jul 31 (PTI) Elon Musk-led Starlink has received a licence to launch satellite service in India, and a framework for spectrum allocation is also in place for a smooth rollout, Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Thursday. Along with Starlink, Bharti Group-backed Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio SES are also awaiting spectrum allocation to roll out their satcom services. The minister said over the last 11 years, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's digital transformation has been nothing short of extraordinary. 'From remote villages to bustling cities, digital access has empowered citizens, bridged divides, and made India a global leader in affordable, inclusive technology,' he said. The minister said that telephone connections in the country now stand at 1.2 billion and internet subscriptions have surged by nearly 286 per cent to reach 970 million. 'Broadband usage has seen explosive growth of over 1,450 per cent, rising from 60 million in 2014 to 944 million today. Most notably, the cost of mobile data has dropped by 96.6 per cent, making India the global leader in affordable data at just Rs 8.9 per GB,' he said. Scindia said the revival of BSNL has been a major breakthrough. 'For the first time in 18 years, BSNL reported back-to-back net profits of Rs 262 crore and Rs 280 crore in FY 2024-25. Over 83,000 4G sites have been installed, with 74,000 already operational, all built on indigenously developed technology. Crack Teams, AI-powered monitoring, and fibre fault resolution within 12 hours have raised service standards across the board,' the minister said. He said India's rapid 5G rollout has covered 99.6 per cent of districts, with 4.74 lakh 5G towers and 300 million users. 'With the world's highest per capita 5G usage (32 GB per month) and 100 Use Case Labs in place, India is also among the top six countries in 6G patent filings. Investments under the Production Linked Incentive scheme have touched Rs 4,305 crore, resulting in Rs 85,391 crore in sales and over 28,000 jobs. Foreign Direct Investment has nearly tripled from USD 282 million to USD 710 million,' the minister said. Commenting on the 30th anniversary of the first cellular call in India, telecom industry body COAI Director General SP Kochhar said India's telecom sector has witnessed a phenomenal transformation since the country's first cellular call in 1995. 'Today, India stands as the world's second-largest telecom market, boasting over 1.2 billion subscribers and some of the most affordable tariff rates globally. An Indian subscriber now uses over 21 GB of data each month on average, which is a testament to the world-class infrastructure developed by leading Indian telecom operators,' Kocchar said. He said that the mobile service landscape in the country started with 2G and now over 85 per cent of India's population and over 99 per cent of the districts in India enjoy access to 5G services. PTI PRS PRS DR DR This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Hindustan Times
11 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Elon Musk's Starlink gets license to launch satellite internet services in India
Elon Musk-led Starlink has received a licence to launch satellite service in India, and a framework for spectrum allocation is also in place for a smooth rollout, Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Thursday. Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said frameworks for spectrum allocation and gateway establishment are ready, ensuring smooth rollout.(Reuters) The announcement was made on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the first cellular call made in the country in 1995. "Starlink has been granted a Unified License to launch satellite internet services in India. Frameworks for spectrum allocation and gateway establishment are ready, ensuring smooth rollout," Scindia said. Along with Starlink, Bharti Group-backed Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio SES are also awaiting spectrum allocation to roll out their satcom services. Also Read: Elon Musk slams rivals for too many satellites even as SpaceX owns over 60% of those orbiting Earth India's digital transformation The minister said that over the last 11 years, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's digital transformation has been nothing short of extraordinary. "From remote villages to bustling cities, digital access has empowered citizens, bridged divides, and made India a global leader in affordable, inclusive technology," he added. The minister said telephone connections in the country now stand at 1.2 billion, and internet subscriptions have surged by nearly 286 per cent to 970 million. "Broadband usage has seen explosive growth of over 1,450 per cent, rising from 60 million in 2014 to 944 million today. Most notably, the cost of mobile data has dropped by 96.6 per cent, making India the global leader in affordable data at just ₹8.9 per GB," he said. Scindia said the revival of BSNL has been a major breakthrough. "For the first time in 18 years, BSNL reported back-to-back net profits of ₹262 crore and ₹280 crore in FY 2024-25. Over 83,000 4G sites have been installed, with 74,000 already operational, all built on indigenously developed technology. Crack Teams, AI-powered monitoring, and fibre fault resolution within 12 hours have raised service standards across the board," the minister noted. He said India's rapid 5G rollout has covered 99.6 per cent of districts, with 4.74 lakh 5G towers and 300 million users. "With the world's highest per capita 5G usage (32 GB per month) and 100 Use Case Labs in place, India is also among the top six countries in 6G patent filings. Investments under the Production Linked Incentive scheme have touched ₹4,305 crore, resulting in ₹85,391 crore in sales and over 28,000 jobs. Foreign direct investment has nearly tripled from USD 282 million to USD 710 million," the minister added. Also Read: Elon Musk reacts as Neuralink recipient writes her name using only thoughts after 20 years: 'This is possible' COAI says India's telecom sector has transformed since 1995 Commenting on the 30th anniversary of the first cellular call in India, telecom industry body COAI Director General SP Kochhar said India's telecom sector has witnessed a phenomenal transformation since the country's first cellular call in 1995. "Today, India stands as the world's second-largest telecom market, boasting over 1.2 billion subscribers and some of the most affordable tariff rates globally. An Indian subscriber now uses over 21 GB of data each month on average, which is a testament to the world-class infrastructure developed by leading Indian telecom operators," Kocchar said. He said that the mobile service landscape in the country started with 2G and now over 85 per cent of India's population and more than 99 per cent of the districts in India enjoy access to 5G services. Domestic telecom gear maker HFCL managing director Mahendra Nahata said that while the late 1990s and early 2000s saw a rapid expansion of mobile infrastructure, the sector truly came of age with the advent of affordable services and innovative prepaid models that made mobile access available to millions across both major cities and remote villages. "While India followed the global curve during the 2G and 3G eras and caught up with the world in 4G, it surprised many by emerging as the country with the fastest 5G rollout in the world. Now, with a bold vision to lead in future technologies, India is actively working on developing 6G, not just to adopt, but to help shape and set global standards," Nahata said. GX CEO calls it a key moment in India's telecom self-reliance Telecom gear maker GX Group CEO Paritosh Prajapati said as India marks the 30th anniversary of its first cellular call, the country stands at a defining moment in the journey of self-reliance. "The telecom sector has been the backbone of our digital transformation, and initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme are ensuring that India doesn't just consume technology, but designs, develops and manufactures it for the world. The next three decades will belong to a truly Atmanirbhar Bharat, leading global innovation from within our borders," Prajapati said.
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Business Standard
11 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Starlink gets satellite internet permit, spectrum norms ready: Scindia
Elon Musk-led Starlink has received a licence to launch satellite service in India, and a framework for spectrum allocation is also in place for a smooth rollout, Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Thursday. The announcement was made on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the first cellular call made in the country in 1995. "Starlink has been granted a Unified License to launch satellite internet services in India. Frameworks for spectrum allocation and gateway establishment are ready, ensuring smooth rollout," Scindia said. Along with Starlink, Bharti Group-backed Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio SES are also awaiting spectrum allocation to roll out their satcom services. The minister said that over the last 11 years, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's digital transformation has been nothing short of extraordinary. "From remote villages to bustling cities, digital access has empowered citizens, bridged divides, and made India a global leader in affordable, inclusive technology," he added. The minister said telephone connections in the country now stand at 1.2 billion, and internet subscriptions have surged by nearly 286 per cent to 970 million. "Broadband usage has seen explosive growth of over 1,450 per cent, rising from 60 million in 2014 to 944 million today. Most notably, the cost of mobile data has dropped by 96.6 per cent, making India the global leader in affordable data at just Rs 8.9 per GB," he said. Scindia said the revival of BSNL has been a major breakthrough. "For the first time in 18 years, BSNL reported back-to-back net profits of Rs 262 crore and Rs 280 crore in FY 2024-25. Over 83,000 4G sites have been installed, with 74,000 already operational, all built on indigenously developed technology. Crack Teams, AI-powered monitoring, and fibre fault resolution within 12 hours have raised service standards across the board," the minister noted. He said India's rapid 5G rollout has covered 99.6 per cent of districts, with 4.74 lakh 5G towers and 300 million users. "With the world's highest per capita 5G usage (32 GB per month) and 100 Use Case Labs in place, India is also among the top six countries in 6G patent filings. Investments under the Production Linked Incentive scheme have touched Rs 4,305 crore, resulting in Rs 85,391 crore in sales and over 28,000 jobs. Foreign direct investment has nearly tripled from USD 282 million to USD 710 million," the minister added. Commenting on the 30th anniversary of the first cellular call in India, telecom industry body COAI Director General SP Kochhar said India's telecom sector has witnessed a phenomenal transformation since the country's first cellular call in 1995. "Today, India stands as the world's second-largest telecom market, boasting over 1.2 billion subscribers and some of the most affordable tariff rates globally. An Indian subscriber now uses over 21 GB of data each month on average, which is a testament to the world-class infrastructure developed by leading Indian telecom operators," Kocchar said. He said that the mobile service landscape in the country started with 2G and now over 85 per cent of India's population and more than 99 per cent of the districts in India enjoy access to 5G services. Domestic telecom gear maker HFCL managing director Mahendra Nahata said that while the late 1990s and early 2000s saw a rapid expansion of mobile infrastructure, the sector truly came of age with the advent of affordable services and innovative prepaid models that made mobile access available to millions across both major cities and remote villages. "While India followed the global curve during the 2G and 3G eras and caught up with the world in 4G, it surprised many by emerging as the country with the fastest 5G rollout in the world. Now, with a bold vision to lead in future technologies, India is actively working on developing 6G, not just to adopt, but to help shape and set global standards," Nahata said. Telecom gear maker GX Group CEO Paritosh Prajapati said as India marks the 30th anniversary of its first cellular call, the country stands at a defining moment in the journey of self-reliance. "The telecom sector has been the backbone of our digital transformation, and initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme are ensuring that India doesn't just consume technology, but designs, develops and manufactures it for the world. The next three decades will belong to a truly Atmanirbhar Bharat, leading global innovation from within our borders," Prajapati said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
