ET Exclusive: India weighs security checkpoint for Starlink, global satcom firms

New Delhi: The Centre is discussing the development of a hardware device that will work as a layer of control between local users and satellite communications services offered by Starlink and other overseas providers to ensure that national security isn't compromised, said people aware of the details.

This is part of government efforts to strengthen the satellite infrastructure ecosystem and develop capabilities to thwart any potential threats, according to them.

Also Read: Reliance says it has ‘never feared competition’ and welcomes satellite players, including Musk’s Starlink


"All satellite traffic will have to pass through this hardware, which is likely to be a small appliance that can be placed at the subscriber end or at the satellite ground stations," said an official on condition of anonymity as the details are not public.

This will allow the government to have better control over internet traffic handled by foreign satellite companies. The proposal is at the deliberation stage with discussions taking place among the relevant departments, said the people cited. The government is trying to utilise public sector research and development units-including those that have been engaged for decades in the communications field--to work on the hardware but select private sector participation is also not ruled out, said the people cited.

The communications ministry didn't respond to queries.

Government officials have told ET previously that Elon Musk-owned Starlink had refused to comply with certain key Indian regulations. Musk has publicly expressed his frustration at being unable to launch Starlink in India. But officials said the company's reluctance to comply with rules mandating the establishment of domestic infrastructure is hindering its ability to get approval for starting satcom services in the country.

The government is of the view that a vast LEO network like that of Starlink, when operated by foreign entities and without sovereign security architecture, can carry significant risks to national security. "The hardware-enforced sovereign security layer will be built... to tackle any foreign satellite operator that is an untrusted transport carrier," said a second official.

The Centre has categorically said all satcom operators have to comply with security conditions to become eligible for spectrum and offer services in India. It has also rejected Starlink's claims of discrimination in its approval process, saying that all three contenders-Eutelsat Oneweb, Jio Satellite and Starlink-are at the same regulatory stage.

Also Read: Elon Musk's Starlink responds to Reliance, says ‘ready to connect India’ with high-speed internet

However, the government has taken note of complaints against Starlink by Iran, Namibia, South Africa and most recently in Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Starlink of slowing down speeds, impeding Ukraine in the conflict with Russia. Iran, South Africa and Namibia say the company is offering services without the necessary permissions. The Centre feels such a stance, if adopted by Starlink in India, could be detrimental to national security, particularly in conflict scenarios.

Due to Starlink's dominant position in the satcom segment and its unilateral or one-sided decisions, governments across the world are getting cautious over utilising its services for critical sectors such as defence. While Russia and China have their own satellite systems, the European Union has Eutelsat OneWeb while India will have a LEO constellation from Reliance Jio in the coming years.