Latest news with #UniversalServiceObligationFund
Mint
09-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Elon Musk's Starlink gets the final clearance to satellite internet services in India
Elon Musk-owned Starlink has cleared the last regulatory hurdle to begin offering satellite-based internet in India. The company has received authorization from the Indian National Space Promotion & Authorization Centre, or IN-SPACe, for its Gen 1 constellation capacity over India, showed the space regulator's website. The authorization has been given for five years till 7 July 2030. Of around 6,750 satellites, Starlink has over 4,000 first-generation satellites, according to NewSpace Index. "Starlink was given the approval after following the necessary process and performing all the checks,' an official said on the condition of anonymity. Jio Platforms' joint venture partner, Luxembourg-based SES, has also secured authorization for a total of 24 satellites over India, the In-SPACe website showed. IN-SPACe, under the space department, oversees space activities in the country, particularly by private players. With this approval, Starlink has joined Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio-SES joint venture in getting all the required approvals to launch satellite internet services in the country. Amazon's Kuiper is also seeking to enter the country and is awaiting the government's approval of its application. The licence for Starlink comes as India looks to close a bilateral trade deal with the US to avoid a potential 26% reciprocal tariff. Interestingly, Musk announced his exit from US President Donald Trump's administration on 29 May and stepped down as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Starlink will now need to set up earth station gateways, ground-based facilities that connect satellites to local networks, a critical component of internet connectivity. However, the commercial launch will have to wait as the government has yet to allocate spectrum to these entities. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has recommended administrative allocation of spectrum, as opposed to auctions, for satellite internet services. It said satcom companies would have to pay annual spectrum charges of either 4% of their adjusted gross revenue (AGR) or ₹ 3,500 per MHz, whichever is higher. The recommendations are pending with the department of telecommunications (DoT), and the Centre is expected to notify the terms and pricing for spectrum allotment soon. Satcom operators will also have to pay an annual licence fee of 8% of AGR as per the DoT's current authorization terms. This is similar to what telecom operators pay, which includes a 5% licence fee and 3% towards the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). Additionally, Trai has recommended an annual charge of ₹ 500 per subscriber for satellite service providers in urban areas. The approval for Starlink has come a month after it received a crucial licence from the DoT. On 6 June, the DoT granted Starlink the critical Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite (GMPCS) licence, marking a major milestone in its entry into the Indian market, after a three-year wait. The GMPCS licence allows companies to offer voice and data services through satellite. The licence is issued for 20 years and allows companies to offer satellite communication services in licensed service areas. Starlink applied for a GMPCS licence in 2022. It started taking bookings for its satellite-based services from Indian customers in 2021 without even getting the license. The government then directed it to call off such bookings as they could not be done without a licence. In compliance with the DoT order, it returned the booking amounts to over 5,000 pre-booked customers. Starlink has also received internet services provider (ISP) and very small aperture terminal (VSAT) licences from the government. Mint was the first to report on 7 May that Starlink got the letter of intent after agreeing to comply with licensing conditions critical to national security. 'The company will next be given the trial spectrum to test its services and show compliance with the security norms,' the second government official said. The Centre has allotted provisional spectrum to OneWeb and Jio as well to comply with the security norms, including lawful interception, network control and monitoring, geofencing of services and data localization. Compliance with conditions is essential for companies before starting satellite internet services commercially. On 20 June, Mint reported the Centre has extended the trial spectrum usage period for satellite internet providers such as Bharti Enterprises-backed Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite by another six months, until November, offering them crucial breathing space to comply with India's stringent security requirements.
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India committed to building future-ready partnerships with BRICS nations: Chandra Sekhkar Pemmasani
NEW DELHI: India has reiterated its commitment to building enduring, future-ready partnerships with all BRICS nations , particularly in the connectivity, space sustainability , and digital ecosystem domains, at a multilateral meeting of communication ministers in Brasilia. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani , minister of state for communications, who is leading the Indian delegation at the 1th BRICS communications ministers' meeting, supported the declaration on "Universal and Meaningful Connectivity, Space Sustainability, Environmental Responsibility, and Comprehensive Digital Ecosystem development". 'We reaffirm India's unwavering commitment to enduring, future-ready partnerships with all BRICS nations. Our cooperation is not episodic; it is structural, strategic, and spiritually anchored in mutual respect,' Pemmasani said. The BRICS grouping includes 11 nations – Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. This year Brazil, under its presidency, has set four strategic priorities – universal and meaningful connectivity, space sustainability, environmental sustainability, and the digital ecosystem. 'Today, we stand united in consensus to advance collaboration across the digital future's vital pillars: Universal and Meaningful Connectivity, Space Sustainability, Environmental Responsibility, and comprehensive Digital Ecosystem development,' the minister said. India will host the Communications Ministers Meeting in 2026. According to Pemmasani, India's digital governance is a combination of 'civilisational wisdom and cutting-edge innovation'. 'Our approach is transformational, not transactional—guided by inclusion, equity, and technological empowerment for all,' he said. The minister highlighted that the Digital Bharat Nidhi (erstwhile Universal Service Obligation Fund) has fueled BharatNet, one of the world's largest rural connectivity projects, and connected over 2.18 lakh village councils with high-speed optical fiber. 'India developed and deployed indigenous 4G technology at an unprecedented scale. This wasn't merely technology adoption - it was technology mastery. Our 4G networks now serve over 95% of our population, creating the backbone of our digital economy,' Pemmasani said, adding that India has achieved one of the fastest 5G rollouts globally, deploying over 4.7 lakh 5G base stations in just over two years. Furthermore, the minister said the rising satellite density, especially in the low-Earth orbit (LEO), has brought new risks, including orbital congestion, signal interference, and spectrum monopolisation, which are increasingly becoming geopolitical concerns too. 'BRICS must lead with foresight. We propose structured collaboration to safeguard orbital equity and ensure resilience in space infrastructure. Let space remain a shared frontier—driven by cooperation, not competition,' Pemmasani said. According to him, the Telecommunications Act, 2023, and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act showcase India's forward-thinking regulatory approach which prioritises safeguarding user rights and data sovereignty. 'In essence, our vision is simple but profound: to build a digital ecosystem that empowers every citizen, inspires innovation, and delivers equitable progress. India is committed to championing this cause, not only domestically but as a voice for the developing world in global tech governance,' Pemmasani said.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Time of India
Mobile connectivity reaches Gunjeparti village after long wait
Raipur: A new mobile tower was established at Gunjeparti village in Usoor police station limits in Bijapur district of Bastar division. The initiative brought long-awaited mobile network access, marking a milestone in rural connectivity, officials said on the matter. This development is part of the Chhattisgarh govt's 'Niyad Nellanar' scheme and the central govt's Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) scheme aimed at enhancing telecom access in conflict areas. With the activation of the tower on April 28, mobile and internet connectivity is now accessible not only in Gunjeparti but also in the surrounding villages of Pujarikanker, Chinganpalli, Nelakanker, and Kamalapur. Residents of these villages, previously cut off from the digital world, will now benefit from reliable communication services. The mobile tower is expected to be a game-changer for local students preparing for competitive exams, and youth seeking educational resources online, by providing stronger internet access . by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Egypt: New Small Electric Car For Seniors. Prices Might Surprise You. Electric Cars | Search Ads Undo Speaking about the development, local authorities highlighted that mobile and internet connectivity is no longer a luxury but a necessity, especially in areas striving for development and integration into the digital economy. The network coverage will not only help villagers stay in touch with family and friends but also open avenues for e-governance, telemedicine, education, and economic opportunities, authorities said.
