The instructions issued this week for satellite companies on Internet services are engaged in fundamental cross -border security questions, including Pakistan, the state Minister for Communication, and Chandra Sechar Pemmasani said on Tuesday.
“We follow special attention because this satellite constellation goes all over the world … So there will be cross -border network problems,” Pemmasani said on media briefing, adding that Pakistan is trying to hack cyber networks in India.
On Monday, the Telecommunications Ministry issued instructions to tighten security as a global satellite communication company such as Starlink, Amazon’s Kuiper and GlobalStar, to enter India.
However, Pemmasani downplayed any entrance barrier for these companies.
India has so far approved Eutelsated Oneweb and Reliance Jio, which is built by Eutelsat Bharti, while Starlink, Kuiper and Globalstar are waiting for a regulatory permit.
Pemmasani said that companies like Starlink will play a small role in Indian connection because of their expensive service, slower speeds than mobile connections and a small market size compared to traditional mobile networks.
“All over the world has only less than 50 lakh (5 million) connections. The speed is much lower. The third time, it is quite expensive, both for installation and for monthly payment,” Pemmasani said. “This (Starlink service) is mainly for naval, people who are really far from, and where traditional networks cannot achieve.”
Regarding the Starlink request to start its services in India, the Minister said it is a “small complicated problem … We have to look at several angles and security is one of them. It is in the final stages”.
Dot instructions
According to the Ministry of Telecommunications, the company would require global mobile personal communication from satellite (GMPCS) in India, India, security clearance for specific sites or hubs in the country.
The government also ordered data location, legal capture and local production requirements for Satcom.
Gateway or hubs serve as a point of connection between satellites and local telecommunications networks, processing and directing data transmitted through satellite users on Earth.
The government wants satellite communication to allow monitoring and capturing communication on the gate when it is legally required, as the standard for telecommunications operators is.
“Basic functions, such as the statutory disconnecting device, monitoring/control devices of user terminals, directing of user data traffic, control of the device in data traffic in the gate, etc., network management and monitoring center (or equivalent device) must be located in India,” he said.
The government has asked Satcom to implement the restriction or rejection of services to any individual, subscriber group or certain geographical areas, as required by agencies for enforcement or security agencies.
One of the key conditions the government insists is data location.
“Indian users will not be routed via any gateway/pop (point) located abroad or any space system that is not part of the satellite/constellation used to provide services,” Dot said, adding that the license holder would have to submit the company not copying and decrypting Indian telecommunications data outside India.
The government also instructed that the location of user terminals or other sensitive information regarding users is not visible or accessible in any place abroad.
(Tagstotranslate) satellite internet
