The Department of Telecommunications has started to streamline the licensing process for setting up broadband satellite services. Elon Musk’s Starlink Satellite Communications and OneWeb, backed by the Bharti Group, are the two major companies vying to launch broadband and other services in the country.
“We are also simplifying the authorization procedures for satellite networks so that their deployment takes a minimum of time,” said DoT deputy general manager S Niraniyan, speaking at the Satcom Industry event. Association.
Recently, Minister of State for Communications Devusinh Chauhan informed Parliament that Elon Musk’s Starlink Satellite Communications had applied for an experimental / test license from DoT. The minister said Starlink intends to apply for all applicable licenses and authorizations required for the commercial launch in India.
However, the telecommunications department ordered the company to refrain from reserving satellite Internet services before obtaining the required licenses, according to the minister.
Just this month, Starlink Country Director Sanjay Bhargava said he would apply for a commercial license in early 2022 to provide broadband and other services.
“We hope to have applied for a commercial license by January 31, 2022 (unless we encounter a major hurdle),” Bhargava said in a post on LinkedIn.
Meanwhile, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) in its consultation paper on “Ease of Doing Business in the Telecommunications and Broadcasting Sector” asked for advice on putting it online. of all authorizations and the establishment of a one-stop-shop authorization system which will coordinate with other relevant ministries involved in the granting of an authorization to a telecommunications or broadcasting actor.
The document also talks about the process simplification for satellite services.
The regulator has sought advice on time-limited approvals with the provision of deemed approvals from relevant ministries.
He proposed to involve the Ministry of Space, the Ministry of Energy, etc. also in the process, as they also play a key role in various types of permits.
(With PTI inputs)
Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our app now !!
Comments are closed.