Indian media have reported that SpaceX’s Starlink will imminently receive clearance from the country’s authorities to launch satellite broadband services.
The Economic Times confirmed that while Starlink has complied with almost all conditions for obtaining a licence, and has provided all required material for approval, the company has queried certain security requirements, with negotiations ongoing.
The reports have emerged a week after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the US, during which time he met SpaceX owner and temporary US government appointee Elon Musk.
Starlink has operated in India since 2021 via its local subsidiary Starlink Satellite Communications, but was forced to stop accepting pre-bookings in November that year on the grounds that it did not hold a licence. The company was ordered to refund deposits paid by customers in 2022 for the same reason.
