All service providers, including Elon Musk’s Starlink, must meet licensing requirements to operate in India: Telecom Minister

The Telecom Minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia announced that the government is awaiting the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) recommendations for satellite spectrum allocation, expecting them soon. He emphasised that all service providers, including Starlink (a satellite internet company), owned by Elon Musk, must meet all required licensing conditions to operate within India’s regulatory framework.

Nationwide 4G rollout by BSNL by December

The Minister highlighted BSNL's progress, stating that the state-run telecom company will expand 4G services across India by December. For telecom equipment imports, he reiterated that all companies must comply with "Trusted Source" criteria to ensure network security.

BharatNet 3 and expanding rural connectivity

Under the BharatNet 3 project, efforts to bridge the digital divide are advancing, with a target to connect 50,000 Gram Panchayats. The Minister also mentioned ongoing work to monetise MTNL's assets, with MTNL and BSNL currently operating in coordination. Notably, MTNL’s substantial debt comes with a sovereign guarantee, and the company is working with banks to address loan repayments.

Measures on call drops and Quality of Service (QoS)

Addressing issues of call drops and quality of service (QoS), the Minister shared that monitoring frequency has increased from four to twelve times annually. Monitoring will now occur at the cell level rather than just the tower area, with evaluations aligned with international standards. Telecom operators failing to meet these standards may face financial penalties.

Action on spam and fake calls

On the ongoing issue of spam and fake calls, the Minister disclosed that 1.35 crore spoof calls are being blocked daily. To date, 1,900 individuals have faced action for fraudulent calls, and 18 lakh phone numbers have been blacklisted.