Starlink, Elon Musk's groundbreaking internet service, granted approval for transforming online connectivity across India.
Starlink Officially Granted License to Launch Satellite Internet Services in India
Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX, has officially received a Unified Licence from the Indian government to provide its services in the country [1][2][3][4]. This marks a significant milestone for satellite broadband, promising to improve remote connectivity and intensify competition in the satellite internet market.
The regulatory approvals for Starlink have been in the works since 2021, but faced delays due to spectrum allocation and regulatory issues. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) finally approved its application in July 2025, and the necessary spectrum frameworks are now ready [1][2].
Starlink's entry into India comes alongside competitors such as Bharti Group-backed Eutelsat OneWeb and Reliance Jio’s joint venture with SES, both of which have also received permissions but are still awaiting spectrum allocation to start commercial operations [1][2][3]. Each company uses low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites to provide high-speed internet across India’s geography.
The roll-out plan for Starlink aims to leverage satellite internet to improve connectivity in remote and border areas of India, where terrestrial internet infrastructure is limited. The government's facilitation of spectrum and gateway infrastructure is designed to support a rapid and effective launch, with the potential to address underserved regions and enhance digital inclusion [1].
Starlink's technology is next-generation, operating in low-Earth orbit through its Gen-1 satellite constellation, consisting of approximately 4,000 satellites. The license is for 5 years and allows Starlink to operate its constellation above India.
The increasing connectivity and closing of the digital divide for millions of people in rural and isolated regions is a potential benefit of Starlink's services in India. Over 40% of citizens in India do not have reliable internet access, and Starlink has the potential to shift the paradigm of internet access.
India's digital landscape is already rapidly expanding, with internet subscriptions surging to around 970 million, broadband growing over 1,450% since 2014, and mobile data costs dropping 96.6% to just Rs 8.9 per GB [3]. This makes digital access more affordable than ever, contributing to India's overall digital growth.
The entry of Starlink into India's digital market supports the country's vision of digital inclusion and technology empowerment under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, aiming to make India a global leader in affordable and inclusive digital services [3].
However, Starlink will face competition from existing players like Reliance Jio and OneWeb (supported by Bharti Airtel), who are aiming to capture the Indian market and are using their advantage of existing telecom infrastructure. Starlink must meet certain requirements before launching commercial operations, including obtaining satcom spectrum allocation, establishing ground stations and gateways, and finishing trial phases to satisfy compliance with security measures.
With Starlink's licensed entry into India, the coming decades could see India leading the world in innovation, according to Prajapati. The BSNL has also reported profitability for the first time in 18 years, indicating a positive outlook for the Indian telecom sector.
The entry of Starlink, a next-generation satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX, into India's market signifies a significant step for both the satellite internet industry and the country's finance sector, as it promises to stimulate competition and potentially improve India's business landscape through digital inclusion. The implementation of Starlink's service, relying on low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites, will also significantly impact the science and technology domain, as it may lead to India becoming a global leader in space-and-astronomy innovation.
