NEW DELHI: The security conditions, he explained, bar Starlink from copying or decrypting Indian user data abroad and prevent the mirroring of Indian user traffic on any system outside the country.“The security conditions, inter-alia, include the establishment of earth station gateway(s) in India for providing satellite-based communication services with no user traffic originating from or destined for India to be routed through any gateway located outside India, no copying and decryption of the Indian data outside the country, and the Indian user traffic is not to be mirrored to any system/server located abroad,” said Sekhar, as quoted by ET.These measures also require satellite communication providers to set up earth station gateways within India, ensuring that communications from satellite to users are routed domestically.The department of telecommunications (DoT) granted Starlink a unified license (UL) after the company agreed to all stipulated terms and conditions of the license, including the mandatory security requirements, which apply to all satellite communication operators in India.The minister added that the DoT had sought recommendations from the telecom regulatory authority of India (TRAI) on spectrum assignment terms, including pricing, for providing satellite-based communication services. These recommendations were received on May 9, 2025, reported ET.“Satellite-based communication services are an upcoming area and, as any new economic activity would do, it is also expected to generate employment in the country, as it involves, inter alia, the installation, operation, and maintenance of the telecom network, including user terminal equipment,” Sekhar said.
