India Must Keep Satellite Kill Switch Control, Says Bharti's Sunil Bharti Mittal

Sunil Bharti Mittal has stated that India must retain control over the kill switch for satellite communications operating within the country. The Bharti Enterprises chairman warned against relying on a single foreign provider while the government reviews security conditions for satellite broadband services.

Market Contest

Three operators hold satellite communications licences in India: Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb, Reliance's Jio Satellite Communications, and Elon Musk's Starlink. While these companies possess licences, commercial operations require final spectrum assignment and security compliance. Mr. Mittal noted that OneWeb's ground infrastructure has been ready for three years and its satellites have orbited over India for five years, yet the firm awaits the government's signal to begin services. He mentioned that the government has occasionally used OneWeb terminals for emergencies, citing an instance where economic adviser Sanjeev Sanyal streamed video during a boat trip to Oman.

Security and Warfare

Mr. Mittal emphasized that satellite networks represent critical strategic infrastructure tied to national security, military communications, and data flow control. He pointed to changing warfare where drones, cyber operations, and guided missiles rely on space systems, noting that Ukraine utilizes both Starlink and OneWeb in the ongoing conflict. He stated that India requires multiple players and proper safeguards instead of depending on a single country or company, and insisted that equipment and communications must be routed through India.

Context

Satellite broadband uses space and ground infrastructure to deliver internet connectivity, making it vital for both civilian use and defense operations. Regulatory bodies worldwide are establishing frameworks to govern orbital spectrum sharing and national security compliance as private satellite constellations expand rapidly.