Security agencies has flagged series of concerns to Government on allowing Elon Musk’s Starlink’s operations in India. Primary objection was non-possibility of tracking or control of signals or data when it passed from the satellite in India to another satellite station in foreign country. The agencies also flagged the control from foreign soil on the India stationed satellites of Starlink.
Starlink’s internet operates from the base station to satellites stationed in the concerned country’s low orbit and directly pass the signals or data to satellites stationed in foreign countries and can be controlled from USA. This issue came in public domain after Starlink from US toned down the speed of Starlink operations in Ukraine during war with Russia.
Starlink has officially launched operations in India’s neighbouring countries Bangladesh and Myanmar. After Myanmar operation, Indian agencies have found the smuggling of Starlink routers and base equipment from North Eastern areas. Few weeks ago, when Starlink launched Bangladesh operations, Indian agencies noted its signals in India and used jammers. This might be the reason provoked Elon Musk to come out in public domain to attack Mukesh Ambani, who also got licence to start internet through satellite in India. Sunil Mittal’s Airtel also got satellite internet license in 2021, pending with security clearance procedures.
According to Indian security experts, Starlink has agreed for certification of equipment like base stations imported to India. But the talks have not reached to a conclusive point on how to track or monitor the data or signals transferred to foreign satellite. Indian agencies demanded sharing of what was transferred to foreign satellite and it was not agreed upon.
Meanwhile, Starlink has not heeded to the basic demand of Indian agencies on stopping the control of Indian operation from United States. In late 2010, Indian agencies had objected to the control of China from their soil on equipment and servers installed in India.
Indian security agencies also highlighted to Government on complications in handling Starlink’s operations when it starts full-fledged operations in Pakistan. India’s Defence network is also evaluating the security concern after the commercial launch of satellite internet by foreign companies and talking with their counterparts in telecom network and security agencies. Suggestions were raised from Indian side that Starlink must float own Indian company to adhere to Indian regulations. According to highly placed officials, Starlink has not yet agreed to this. Indian agencies have also pointed out the role of foreign courts in future during litigations and suggested for Indian firm for Indian operations to avoid foreign jurisdiction.
India has given red carpet to Elon Musk’s Starlink by amending the Telecom Act to avoid auction of spectrum for satellite internet. As per landmark Supreme Court judgment of 2012, all natural resources including spectrum has to be auctioned.
Though Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio and Sunil Mittal’s Bharti Airtel preferred auction in allotting spectrum in satellite internet services, Musk was insisting for avoiding auction. At last, due to US lobbying, Government in 2023 has amended Telecom Act and avoided compulsory auction and implemented administrative pricing of spectrum in satellite internet service.
After US slowing down Starlink services in Ukraine and role of infiltrating Starlink operations in Iran during war, Indian agencies has become serious on the security concern on Elon Musk’s Starlink and speeded up the security checking after giving license to operate in India, 5 years ago.