Satellite internet company Starlink in India obtains long-awaited license to proceed with launch in the country
Starlink, the satellite internet service provider owned by SpaceX, has made significant progress in India's regulatory framework. The company has received a license from India's Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to provide satellite internet services in India, subject to meeting certain conditions and completing necessary infrastructure setup.
The license, issued by IN-SPACe, allows Starlink to operate its Gen 1 satellite constellation across Indian territory for five years, from July 7, 2025, to July 7, 2030. However, the government has capped Starlink's user base at 2 million (20 lakh) connections nationwide, aiming to limit its market share and avoid impacting existing telecom players.
Starlink is permitted to offer internet speeds up to 200 Mbps, primarily targeting rural and remote areas where traditional broadband infrastructure is limited. Monthly subscription plans are expected to range between ₹3,000 and ₹4,200, reflecting a relatively high cost compared to other internet options.
Despite the clearance, Starlink still requires spectrum allocation from the DoT and must establish ground infrastructure such as gateways before commercial launch. The launch is anticipated around late 2025 or early 2026, subject to meeting regulatory, security, and compliance conditions.
Regarding national security and data localization, the regulatory approvals imply that Starlink has cleared necessary checks by IN-SPACe, which is part of the Indian space and security ecosystem. However, the exact requirements for satisfying these conditions have not been detailed in the available sources. Commercial launch awaits completion of security and compliance protocols likely involving data handling and national security provisions typical for telecom licenses in India.
Starlink's progress in India has been marked by repeated delays due to national security concerns, regulatory hurdles, and evolving government policies on foreign satellite communications. In January 2022, the Indian government directed Starlink to refund all pre-orders made before securing the appropriate licenses, and customers who had paid a $99 deposit were informed via email that refunds would be processed promptly.
This approval marks a major milestone for Starlink as it moves closer to launching commercial operations in one of the world's largest and fastest-growing internet markets. The company began its push for entry into India in 2022, signing distribution agreements with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, India's two largest telecom providers. These partnerships are expected to help accelerate Starlink's deployment once commercial operations begin.
| Aspect | Status/Requirement | |----------------------------|----------------------------------------------------| | Authorization | IN-SPACe clearance valid July 2025 - July 2030[1][2][3]| | User base cap | 2 million users max across India[1][4] | | Internet speed | Up to 200 Mbps allowed[1][2][4] | | Pricing | ₹3,000–₹4,200 monthly expected[1][2] | | Spectrum | Allocated by IN-SPACe (Ka/Ku bands), pending DoT allocation[2][3] | | Infrastructure | Ground stations/gateways to be built before launch[2][3] | | National security & data localization | Cleared regulatory checks; full compliance ongoing but not detailed in sources[3] |
As Starlink awaits final approval and prepares to launch in India, it faces stringent national security and data localization requirements, including enabling lawful interception capabilities, establishing domestic ground infrastructure, and obtaining clearances from India's space regulator, In-SPACe. The exact nature of these requirements and their impact on Starlink's operations in India remain to be seen.
- The satellite internet service provider, Starlink, has received permission from IN-SPACe to operate its Gen 1 satellite constellation in India for five years, with internet speeds up to 200 Mbps, primarily targeting rural areas.
- Starlink's operations in India come with stringent national security and data localization requirements, such as establishing domestic ground infrastructure, enabling lawful interception capabilities, and securing clearances from IN-SPACe.
