OneWeb, supported by Bharti Group, has urged Indian authorities for immediate security clearance to launch its satellite communications services, citing risks from expiring satellites and prolonged approval delays after waiting over 18 months.
- OneWeb seeks urgent security nod after 18 months of delay
- Ground stations ready for satellite broadband rollout in India
- Starlink and Jio Satellite also await Indian security approvals
What happened
Despite submitting all required data and addressing further queries from law enforcement agencies, OneWeb has yet to receive the mandated clearance, which covers crucial aspects such as lawful interception, network monitoring, and localization of critical network functions. The company holds a GMPCS license granted by the Indian Department of Telecommunications since August 2021 and has infrastructure in place, including ground gateways in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, plus points of presence in Mumbai and Chennai.
Why it matters
India’s satellite communications sector is gaining strategic importance, with other major players such as Elon Musk’s Starlink and Reliance Jio’s satellite ventures also seeking security clearances. The market dynamics suggest varying customer targets—OneWeb focusing primarily on business clients, Starlink aiming at retail users, and Jio Satellite integrating with Reliance’s telecom operations, highlighting intense competition and rapid growth potential in this space.