Elon Musk’s Starlink Gets Licence for Satellite Internet Services in India, Third Company to Secure DoT Approval
Elon Musk’s Starlink has received a licence for satellite communication (satcom) services in India, becoming the third company to secure this approval from the Department of Telecom (DoT), news agency PTI reported on Friday citing government sources. The development clears the final regulatory hurdle for SpaceX’s satellite internet service to begin operations in the country.
DoT sources confirmed that Starlink has received the licence and will be granted trial spectrum within 15-20 days of applying for it. The approval comes after the government issued a letter of intent (LoI) to Starlink last month, paving the way for its satellite communication services in India.
Starlink has already signed partnerships with India’s telecom leaders Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, which together control more than 70 percent of the country’s telecommunications market. These strategic alliances are expected to accelerate Starlink’s rollout and market penetration in India.
The satellite internet arm of Elon Musk-led SpaceX has been pursuing an Indian licence for several years, facing regulatory delays and policy uncertainties before finally securing approval.
Starlink operates through a vast network of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites positioned just 550 kilometres above Earth, delivering high-speed, low-latency broadband internet. This technology offers significant advantages over traditional geostationary satellites, which orbit much farther out and typically provide slower connections with higher latency.
SpaceX has already deployed approximately 7,000 LEO satellites globally and plans to scale this constellation to over 40,000 satellites. This extensive network enables internet access in remote and challenging terrains, including conflict zones and disaster-struck regions where traditional connectivity infrastructure may be unavailable.
Industry estimates suggest Starlink’s monthly subscription fees in India could range from Rs 3,000 to Rs 7,000, depending on the plan and location. Users will also need to purchase a Starlink kit, including a satellite dish and Wi-Fi router, priced between Rs 20,000 and Rs 35,000.
However, according to The Economic Times, Starlink is preparing to launch in India with a highly competitive promotional offer featuring unlimited data plans priced below $10 per month (approximately Rs 857). These remain speculative figures, with exact pricing to be announced once commercial services begin.
The entry of Starlink is expected to intensify competition in India’s broadband market, particularly in rural and remote areas where traditional internet infrastructure remains limited. The service could prove transformative for sectors requiring reliable internet connectivity, including education, healthcare, and emergency services in underserved regions.
India’s satellite communication market has been growing steadily, driven by increasing demand for reliable internet services and government initiatives to improve digital connectivity across the country.
