Starlink gets licence for satellite internet in India, confirms Jyotiraditya Scindia
The announcement, made on the eve of the 30th anniversary of India's first cellular call in 1995, signals a significant step in the country's satellite communication (satcom) plans. Scindia stated that frameworks for spectrum allocation and gateway installation are now in place to ensure a smooth rollout of services.
Starlink joins other players in the satcom space such as Bharti Group-backed Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio SES, both of which are also awaiting spectrum allocation to commence operations.
Highlighting developments in India's telecom sector over the past decade, the minister shared data outlining the expansion of connectivity and digital infrastructure. According to Scindia, internet subscriptions in the country have increased by nearly 286 per cent to reach 970 million users, while telephone connections now stand at 1.2 billion. He also noted that broadband usage has grown over 1,450 per cent since 2014, rising from 60 million to 944 million connections. The cost of mobile data has declined by over 96 per cent, now averaging ₹ 8.9 per GB.
The government also reported operational improvements at BSNL, which has returned to profitability after nearly two decades. BSNL posted net profits of ₹ 262 crore and ₹ 280 crore in consecutive financial years, with over 83,000 4G sites installed, most running on domestically developed technology.
India's 5G rollout was another focal point, with coverage extended to 99.6 per cent of districts. The country has installed approximately 4.74 lakh 5G towers and now counts over 300 million 5G users. With average monthly per capita usage at 32 GB, India reportedly leads globally in 5G data consumption.
The minister added that India is among the top six nations in terms of 6G patent filings and has launched 100 6G Use Case Labs. Under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, telecom manufacturing investments have reached ₹ 4,305 crore, generating sales of over ₹ 85,000 crore and creating more than 28,000 jobs. Foreign direct investment in the sector has nearly tripled, growing from $282 million to $710 million.
Industry leaders also commented on the 30-year milestone of mobile services in India. SP Kochhar, Director General of the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), said that the country now hosts over 1.2 billion telecom subscribers, with data usage per individual exceeding 21 GB per month. He observed that while the sector began with 2G, it now offers 5G access to over 99 per cent of Indian districts.
HFCL Managing Director Mahendra Nahata reflected on the sector's evolution, stating that India's transition from basic mobile infrastructure to rapid 5G deployment has positioned the country to influence the development of 6G standards globally.
Paritosh Prajapati, CEO of telecom gear maker GX Group, said that India's telecom sector stands at a turning point in its journey towards technological self-reliance. He emphasised that government initiatives, including the PLI scheme, are enabling domestic innovation and manufacturing in telecom.
The licensing of Starlink comes as India attempts to boost internet access in rural and remote areas through satellite technology, further integrating digital connectivity into its broader development goals.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
7 minutes ago
- Economic Times
AI, Ethics, and Big Data: Key Themes at the LAQSA's IIQC 2025 Delhi edition
The Indian Institutional Quant Conference (IIQC) 2025, hosted at Taj City Centre in Gurugram, marked a defining moment for India's data-first investing movement. ADVERTISEMENT Organised by LAQSA (Lambda Quantitative Strategies Association), the Delhi edition of the conference brought together an eclectic mix of thought leaders, policy experts, economists, technologists, and quant professionals to explore how data-driven strategies are reshaping the future of Indian finance and policymaking. With the theme focused on the intersection of quantitative research, technology, and regulation, the one-day conference offered a rich mix of expert panels, fireside chats, and research-driven presentations. LAQSA's mission to promote the science behind market strategies was on full display, with a meticulously curated agenda that reflected both the maturity and the momentum of India's evolving quant of the standout moments of the day unfolded during a mid-morning discussion featuring eminent voices such as Dr. S.N. Ghosh (DEA-AJNIFM, Ministry of Finance), Dr. T.C.A. Anant (Ex-Chief Statistician of India, Ex-Secretary, MOSPI), and Arvind Mathur (Advisor & Mentor, NDA; Ex-ADB). Moderated by Pankaj Mani (LAQSA, WILMOTT), the panel tackled the complex relationship between data reliability, economic governance, and regulatory effectiveness. ADVERTISEMENT The discussion struck a chord by highlighting how the robustness of statistical systems directly influences market confidence and policy Kohli, Co-Founder of LAQSA, added, 'We're delighted with the overwhelming participation and spirit of discovery at this year's IIQC Delhi Edition. Each session illuminated new frontiers in systematic thinking and reinforced the power of community in shaping the future of quant in India.' ADVERTISEMENT As the day progressed, conversations turned toward the implications of emerging technologies. A thought-provoking fireside chat between Prof. Arun Kumar of JNU and Prof. Shanta Laishram from the Indian Statistical Institute examined the ethical dimensions of AI in finance—particularly its environmental impact and its potential to widen systemic inequalities if left unchecked. Later sessions featured insights from family offices, hedge fund managers, and fintech innovators, who delved into cutting-edge strategies such as long-short models, high-frequency trading, and alternative investment frameworks. ADVERTISEMENT These discussions reflected not only a growing sophistication in India's financial toolkit but also a strong appetite for experimentation with systematic and algorithmic Mani, Co-Founder of LAQSA, remarked, 'The Delhi Edition of IIQC underscored our commitment to cultivating innovative thinking and collaboration within the quant community. This vibrant gathering brought together domain leaders, educationists, researchers, and enthusiasts, fueling deeper conversations and actionable insights to push boundaries in data-driven domains.' ADVERTISEMENT As India's financial markets continue to evolve amidst global volatility and increasing complexity, the IIQC serves as more than just an industry meet—it is becoming a vital crucible for new ideas and disciplined LAQSA at the helm, the message is clear: quantitative strategies are not just a fleeting trend, but a foundational pillar of India's modern financial architecture. Also read | 8th Pay Commission: What Rs 3 lakh crore boost for government employees mean for stock market investors The future, as IIQC 2025 reaffirmed, will be written in data—and shaped by those bold enough to decode it. (Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times) (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel)
Business Standard
7 minutes ago
- Business Standard
LiHi Smart Batteries Drive the Push for Drone Tech Independence in India
VMPL New Delhi [India], August 2: LiHi Smart Batteries, a subsidiary of AKSI Aerospace Group, showcased its indigenously developed lithium battery solutions for drones at the 6th International Drone Expo held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The company's participation highlights its commitment to powering India's drone future through homegrown energy solutions built for Indian environments and mission requirements. LiHi's advanced battery packs, available in various customized configurations, are designed to meet the growing needs of drone manufacturers across Agriculture, Surveillance, Industrial Solutions, Logistics, and Defense. At the core of LiHi's offering is its smart Battery Management System (BMS), which ensures Optimal charge distribution, Thermal safety, and Cell balancing--delivering Superior flight endurance, Performance consistency, and Operational safety. "Imported battery systems are often not optimized for India's diverse climate and usage demands," said Praveena Kokrady, COO, LiHi Smart Batteries. "Our batteries are tested and proven to operate reliably in sub-zero conditions in Ladakh and dust-heavy environments of Rajasthan, which gives Indian drone OEMs a serious performance edge. That level of resilience is difficult to find in off-the-shelf foreign systems." The push for self-reliance in the drone industry goes beyond final assembly. For India to be truly independent in unmanned aerial systems, it must build and own the critical subsystems--including batteries, BMS, motors, autopilots, and composite frames. LiHi's batteries are manufactured entirely at AKSI Aerospace's 50,000 sq. ft. facility in Hyderabad, offering full control over design, testing, and customization. By replacing dependency on imported power systems, LiHi empowers Indian manufacturers to secure their supply chains, reduce costs, and comply with evolving defence procurement standards favoring indigenization. "Battery and BMS systems are the nerve center of drone performance," said Pankaj Akula, Managing Director of AKSI Aerospace Group. "At AKSI, our vision is to develop all Critical drone Subsystems in-house--from power to flight control--so India's drone ecosystem can scale confidently and independently. LiHi is a key pillar of that mission." As drone adoption accelerates across sectors, the role of reliable, locally engineered battery systems becomes more critical than ever. LiHi Smart Batteries is proud to power that change--one flight at a time.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
7 minutes ago
- First Post
'Free speech will suffer': Musk's X locks horns with UK over online safety laws
While X has taken steps to comply, such as introducing age verification systems, it expressed concerns about the law's broader implications. read more A 3D-printed miniature model of Elon Musk and the X logo are seen in this illustration taken January 23, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration The social media platform X, owned by US billionaire Elon Musk, has publicly criticised the UK's newly implemented Online Safety Act, warning that its broad regulations could pose a risk to free speech. The company issued a stark statement: 'Free speech will suffer. The Act's laudable intentions are at risk of being overshadowed by the breadth of its regulatory reach. Without a more balanced, collaborative approach, free speech will suffer.' New provisions of Online Safety Act The criticism follows the rollout of new provisions under the Online Safety Act, which took effect recently. A key requirement mandates that websites, including social media and adult content platforms, verify the age of users to shield children from explicit or violent material. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While X has taken steps to comply, such as introducing age verification systems, it expressed concerns about the law's broader implications. The platform cautioned that the threat of hefty financial penalties could push companies to over-censor content, stating, 'Many are now concerned that a plan ostensibly intended to keep children safe is at risk of seriously infringing on the public's right to free expression.' UK govt stands strong by legislation The UK government has stood by the legislation, stressing that non-compliant companies could face fines of up to £18 million or 10 per cent of their global turnover—a penalty that could reach £200 million for X. The UK's media regulator, Ofcom, has already launched investigations into dozens of websites failing to implement required safeguards and has reached out to US-based companies, including X, to remind them of their legal obligations. X also took issue with provisions allowing police to monitor social media for content deemed anti-immigrant, arguing that this 'oversteps the intended mission' of protecting children. The platform's concerns align with remarks from Elon Musk, who previously labelled the Online Safety Act as a 'suppression of the people.' Musk has also thrown his support behind a public petition calling for the law's repeal, which has garnered over 450,000 signatures. In response, Ofcom defended the regulations, clarifying that they do not mandate restricting legal content for adults. A spokesperson stated, 'They must carefully consider how they protect users' rights to freedom of expression while keeping people safe.'
