The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has partnered with Starlink Satellite Communication Pvt Ltd, a satellite-based internet provider, to streamline customer verification using India's digital identity system, Aadhaar. This collaboration allows Starlink to use Aadhaar for smooth, secure, and paperless customer onboarding, ensuring compliance with Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations.
Under the new agreement, Starlink has been designated a Sub-Authentication User Agency (Sub-AUA) and Sub-eKYC User Agency (Sub-eKYC UA). This partnership will enable Starlink to leverage Aadhaar's e-KYC and face authentication capabilities for customer onboarding. In line with existing regulations, the use of Aadhaar for authentication will remain voluntary for customers.
The collaboration was made official in the presence of UIDAI CEO Sri Bhuvnesh Kumar, Deputy Director General Sri Manish Bhardwaj, and Starlink India Director Sri Parnil Urdhwareshe.
Experts note that while the collaboration enables Starlink to scale across geographies and deliver high-speed internet to households, businesses, and institutions, the challenge of authentication will remain an ongoing consideration.
This move reinforces Aadhaar’s pivotal role as a key component of India's digital public infrastructure. While the partnership allows Starlink to expand its high-speed internet services to new regions, the ongoing challenge of seamless authentication remains a key consideration for both parties. This integration highlights the scalability and reliability of Aadhaar in enabling next-generation digital services and fostering innovation in the connectivity sector.
