Bharti Enterprises Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal has called on the Indian government to retain direct control over the "kill switch" for all satellite communications operating within the country. In an interview marking the 50th anniversary of Bharti Enterprises, Mr. Mittal warned against the potential risks of relying on a single foreign country or company for such critical infrastructure, noting that the ability to disable or restrict connectivity is a vital instrument for national security.
His remarks come as several major players—including Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb, Reliance’s Jio Satellite Communications, and Elon Musk’s Starlink—await final operational clearances from the government. While all three firms have already secured satellite communications licences, they are currently awaiting final regulatory approval to commence commercial services. Government officials have reiterated that all operators must comply with the same security and regulatory mandates before launch.
Mr. Mittal emphasized that satellite networks are evolving into strategic assets, with significant implications for military operations, data flows, and national security. He noted that satellite technology is increasingly central to modern warfare, affecting everything from drone operations to cyber security and guided missile systems. He argued that it is essential for India to monitor ground equipment and ensure all traffic is routed through the country to maintain sovereign control.
Citing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine as an example of the strategic importance of satellite infrastructure, Mr. Mittal pointed out that both Starlink and OneWeb have played roles in supporting communications and battlefield operations. He suggested that India should diversify its providers to avoid becoming dependent on a single entity, pointing to the European Union’s investment of approximately €14 billion to €15 billion in developing its own secure communications network.
Key facts
- Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb, Reliance’s Jio, and Starlink are currently awaiting government clearance for commercial satellite operations.
- A "kill switch" allows a government to disable, throttle, or restrict satellite connectivity for specific regions or entire networks.
- Mr. Mittal noted that OneWeb’s ground infrastructure has been prepared for three years, with satellites orbiting over India for five years.
- The European Union has invested between €14 billion and €15 billion into developing secure communications infrastructure.
Why it matters
The control of satellite infrastructure is becoming a central point of contention as India prepares to open its market to global broadband providers. For the government, maintaining oversight via a "kill switch" is considered a necessary safeguard to ensure that critical communication systems can be managed during national security emergencies or diplomatic tensions.
Background
The debate over satellite entry into India has recently been marked by public disagreement between industry leaders, including reports of friction between Elon Musk and Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani regarding regulatory entry barriers and spectrum allocation.
Source: The Hindu
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