New Delhi: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met with senior executives from Elon Musk’s Starlink on Wednesday to explore the company’s investment and expansion plans in India.
Sharing details on X (formerly Twitter), Goyal said, “Met a delegation from Starlink, including Vice President Chad Gibbs and Senior Director Ryan Goodnight. Discussions centered around Starlink’s innovative technology, current partnerships, and potential investments in India.”
The meeting comes as India’s telecom landscape braces for the introduction of satellite-based communication services, with domestic players like Airtel reportedly engaging with Starlink for possible collaborations.
Vodafone Idea has also expressed interest in leveraging Starlink’s technology for satellite communication services in India.
Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has underscored the importance of satellite internet in addressing connectivity gaps, particularly in rural and remote areas where traditional fibre or mobile networks face limitations.
He described satellite internet as a complementary technology that can work alongside terrestrial and fibre networks, ensuring comprehensive coverage across the country.
Scindia also emphasised the critical role satellite communication can play during emergencies, such as natural disasters, when traditional telecom infrastructure like towers and fibre networks are disrupted.
Starlink, a satellite internet service operated by SpaceX, aims to deliver high-speed internet access globally, including in underserved regions.
However, the company is still awaiting regulatory approvals to launch operations in India and is monitoring the government’s upcoming rules on spectrum pricing.
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Minister Scindia assured that any company meeting India’s regulatory standards is welcome to apply for the necessary licenses.
Starlink’s parent company, SpaceX, has achieved several milestones, including becoming the first private firm to transport astronauts to the International Space Station and successfully completing an all-civilian orbital mission.
