Elon Musk’s Starlink Gets Green Light in India

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 9th July: In a development that could revolutionize internet connectivity across remote and underserved regions of India, Elon Musk’s Starlink has received final authorization from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) to commence its satellite-based broadband operations in the country.

According to official documents reviewed by IANS, Starlink has successfully cleared its last regulatory hurdle, bringing it closer to launching its commercial services in the Indian market. The company is now expected to roll out services within the coming months, subject to final approvals on spectrum allocation and establishment of ground infrastructure.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is expected to grant trial spectrum to Starlink soon, enabling the company to carry out essential security compliance tests and demonstrations. Once these procedural and technical steps are completed, Starlink could begin operations, offering fast and affordable internet services to areas where traditional connectivity remains patchy or unavailable.

Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia recently affirmed that all due diligence from the government’s side had been completed, and the service could launch as soon as Starlink secures the remaining permissions. “Once regulatory and licensing approvals are received, they can roll out the service in India whenever they wish to,” Scindia said last week.

Starlink has already signed its first commercial agreements with Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) providers in India. These providers specialize in satellite-based internet solutions, particularly for remote geographies where fiber-optic or mobile connectivity is challenging.

Starlink, a division of SpaceX, currently operates the largest satellite constellation in low Earth orbit, with over 6,750 satellites. The company offers services in more than 70 countries, including Mongolia, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Jordan, Sri Lanka, and Yemen. India, with its vast geography and millions of people lacking reliable internet access, presents a significant opportunity for Starlink’s low-latency satellite internet.

Once operational, Starlink’s broadband service could bridge the urban-rural digital divide and support critical areas such as education, telemedicine, remote work, and e-governance in regions with little to no connectivity.

While Starlink inches closer to an India launch, its primary global rival—Amazon’s Project Kuiper—is also eyeing the Indian market. Kuiper is currently awaiting regulatory approvals from both the DoT and IN-SPACe and has signaled intentions for a large-scale satellite communications rollout in India. The entry of multiple players could lead to competitive pricing and wider reach, further accelerating India’s digital transformation goals.