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While Starlink has secured a GMPCS licence and awaits final IN-SPACe approval, Amazon Kuiper is still pending both clearances before it can officially launch services in the Indian market.
In a major development for India’s satellite internet landscape, Elon Musk’s Starlink and Amazon’s Project Kuiper have reportedly signed their first commercial agreements with VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) service providers in the country. These landmark deals are seen as the first concrete steps toward launching satellite broadband services for enterprise, government, and remote-area connectivity in India.
Starlink’s Regulatory Progress
Starlink’s Regulatory Progress
Starlink India, a subsidiary of SpaceX, has already secured a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) license from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). It is now awaiting final clearance from IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center)—the space regulator that governs private players in India’s space ecosystem.
Once the green light is received, Starlink is expected to roll out services for businesses, defense sectors, and underserved rural regions, offering high-speed, low-latency internet powered by its low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation.
Amazon Kuiper’s Entry in Progress
Amazon Kuiper, on the other hand, is still in the process of securing both the GMPCS license and IN-SPACe authorization. However, its initial agreements with Indian VSAT operators signal a clear intent to enter the market and position itself as a competitor to Starlink and existing terrestrial ISPs.
Amazon is reportedly focusing on building its ground infrastructure and engaging with potential public and private partners to provide secure and scalable broadband solutions once its regulatory hurdles are cleared.
These deals are set to transform India’s connectivity landscape by:
- Bridging the digital divide in rural and remote areas.
- Offering reliable high-speed internet for critical sectors like defense, education, healthcare, and logistics.
- Supporting the government’s Digital India mission and pushing the country toward universal internet access.
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