New Delhi: Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, Starlink, has reportedly secured a licence to provide satellite communication services in India, according to sources cited by the Press Trust of India. With this development, Starlink becomes the third company to receive such approval from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
While the Indian government has not yet issued an official confirmation, DoT insiders revealed that trial spectrum will be allocated to Starlink within 15 to 20 days of their application.
Starlink had been seeking regulatory clearance to enter the Indian market since 2022, but faced delays due to national security concerns and compliance with India’s data localisation and security requirements. The company has since committed to adhering to these regulations, helping clear the path for its approval.
The move follows a series of significant partnerships. In March 2025, Bharti Airtel announced a collaboration with SpaceX to bring Starlink’s high-speed satellite internet to Indian users, contingent on government approvals. Reliance Jio, led by Mukesh Ambani, also struck a similar deal with the Musk-led firm shortly thereafter.
Meanwhile, Amazon’s Project Kuiper, another global satellite internet initiative, is still awaiting clearance to operate in India.
Starlink currently operates a constellation of over 6,750 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, delivering high-speed, low-latency internet across the globe. With over 5 million users worldwide, India represents a major untapped market. The service is particularly expected to bridge the digital divide in India’s remote and underserved regions.
Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had earlier highlighted the need for satellite-based connectivity to boost access in rural and far-flung areas — a goal Starlink aims to support.
In a March 2025 statement, Gwynne Shotwell, President and COO of SpaceX, expressed enthusiasm about entering the Indian market, saying the company is eager to provide high-speed internet access to Indian individuals, businesses, and organisations.
If the rollout proceeds as expected, Starlink could soon reshape India’s internet infrastructure, especially in regions where traditional broadband has failed to reach.
