Recently, telecom giants Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have reportedly tied up with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to bring Starlink satellite internet services to the country. This is to provide internet connectivity to remote and rural areas where traditional broadband infrastructure is lacking by using Starlink’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites.
What is Starlink
Starlink is a satellite internet constellation developed by SpaceX that provides high-speed broadband internet using a network of low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellites. These satellites communicate with ground stations and user terminals (like Tata Sky dishes) to deliver internet connectivity directly to homes and remote areas. Starlink satellites operate at altitudes of around 550 km, reducing latency and improving speed.
Potential Security Threats
Bypassing Government Controls
Starlink’s LEO constellation, due to its decentralized nature and effective communication channels, makes it an attractive tool for non-state actors. In conflict zones such as Manipur, there are confirmed reports of militant groups using smuggled Starlink terminals to bypass government-imposed internet shutdowns, thereby establishing secure and untraceable communications. Such unregulated communication networks undermine government authority, creating headaches for our law enforcement agencies and military operations by escaping from conventional signals intelligence (SIGINT) and surveillance systems.
Dual-Use Nature
Although Starlink is primarily for commercial service, it is dual-use in nature. Reports have shown the seizure of Starlink terminals from smugglers during drug busts in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where they were used for secure navigation and communication.
Space Vulnerabilities
The reliance on large-scale LEO satellite constellations like Starlink poses risks of jamming and spoofing. LEO satellites are more susceptible to electronic warfare tactics than geostationary satellites. One more problem is increased congestion of satellites in LEO, raising the risk of collisions, either accidental or through anti-satellite (ASAT) attacks, which disrupts not only Starlink but also other vital space assets critical for national security, navigation, and communications.
Strategic Dependency
Reliance on a foreign-operated system like Starlink would increase dependence on foreign infrastructure. In geopolitical crises, control over the network could be used to pressure India, especially since Starlink is under U.S. jurisdiction.
Surveillance and Data Interception
Starlink’s close ties to the US intelligence and military establishments raise concerns about potential surveillance and data interception.
Data Privacy and Sovereignty
There are concerns about data privacy, as Starlink could route users’ data through servers outside the country.
Mitigation Strategies
India must invest in Space Domain Awareness (SDA), developing independent tracking and surveillance. An example is ISRO’s project, NETRA. Also, developing indigenous satellite communication systems could reduce the risk and ensure government control over communication channels, for example, Airtel’s OneWeb. Cooperation among various agencies is needed for tracking unauthorized Starlink terminals. There must be clear legal and regulatory frameworks for regulating internet services of foreign satellites, especially during crises.
Accordingly, the government mandates that all data from satellite services must be stored within the country, and companies must comply with security requirements, including allowing intelligence agencies access to data when necessary. Starlink has agreed to comply with all the regulations. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has introduced mandatory testing and certification for satellite equipment, including gateways and user terminals, to ensure avoidance of foreign components, especially the Chinese.
However, Starlink still awaits final approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs and security agencies, which are reviewing its application.
