SpaceX License: Global firms show interest in Indian space, Musk's company SpaceX seeks a license

While India is preparing to launch 5G services in every city of the country, global companies are showing interest in the country's space-related businesses. Elon Musk-owned SpaceX has applied to the Department of Telecommunications for a Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite Services (GMPCS) license to launch broadband-to-space services in India under its Starlink brand.

SpaceX applied for a license

An official told ANI, SpaceX has applied for the license, and now the government will decide on the license following the process laid down by the department. The official said global companies are now showing interest in Indian space, SpaceX being one of them. Indian conglomerate-backed OneWeb and the satellite arm of Reliance Jio Infocomm have already secured licenses, with SpaceX being the third company to apply for the license.

SpaceX launches world's largest company

SpaceX is the world's largest launch services company and the first private company to deliver astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS). It is the only company to have completed all civilian crew missions in orbit. SpaceX provides internet connectivity globally with the Starlink constellation. After getting the license, SpaceX will have to get approval from the Department of Space and then allot spectrum to offer services, the official said.

SpaceX will have to get approval

SpaceX will also need to set up an in-country Earth station and increase its global satellite bandwidth capacity in India. These approvals will have to be taken from the Indian National Center for Space Promotion and Authorization (IN-SPACe), a central regulatory body mandated to attract private capital in the space sector.

competition is increasing

Competition is intensifying in India's relatively broadband-to-space services segment, which could be worth USD 13 billion by 2025 after global companies showed interest in the Indian space. At the same time, Tata Group's Jio, OneWeb, Nelco, Canada's Telesat, and Amazon are also exploring the possibility of launching satellite broadband services in India.

Also Read: Jaishankar: Jaishankar told foreign policy of 10 days, 10 months, and 10 years, said - understand the difference after 26/11 and Pulwama