Elon Musk’s Starlink, a satellite internet venture under SpaceX, has officially received its final regulatory clearance to begin operations in India. This approval comes from IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre), marking a major step forward in Starlink’s entry into one of the world’s fastest-growing digital markets.
After nearly two years of waiting, Starlink now holds a five-year licence that allows it to offer satellite-based internet services across India.
Initial Hurdles and Waiting Period
Starlink applied for commercial licenses back in 2022. Although the company received a key license from India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in June 2025, it still needed the nod from India’s space regulator to proceed with operations.
That final hurdle has now been cleared, with IN-SPACe confirming that Starlink’s license is valid for five years, officially allowing the company to begin rolling out its services.
Who Else Is in the Indian Satellite Internet Space?
With this approval, Starlink becomes the third satellite internet provider to receive a green light from Indian regulators, after:
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OneWeb (a joint venture between Bharti Airtel and Eutelsat)
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Reliance Jio Satellite Communications, backed by Mukesh Ambani
These companies are part of a growing race to bring high-speed satellite internet to India’s remote and underserved regions.
What Happens Next for Starlink in India?
While the licensing barrier has been cleared, Starlink must now complete several more steps before offering services:
1. Spectrum Allocation
Starlink must secure spectrum from the Indian government. Notably, Elon Musk and Mukesh Ambani of Jio had a public disagreement over whether satellite spectrum should be auctioned or allocated. Eventually, India sided with Musk, supporting administrative allocation of satellite spectrum.
2. Ground Infrastructure Setup
The company needs to build ground stations and other required infrastructure to support data transmission between satellites and users.
3. Security and Technical Trials
Starlink must undergo security audits, perform testing and demonstration trials, and prove that its network meets all compliance and cybersecurity standards mandated by the Indian government.
Why Starlink’s Launch Matters for India
India is home to millions of people in rural and remote areas where traditional internet access is poor or nonexistent. Starlink’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite technology is designed to deliver high-speed, low-latency internet to hard-to-reach locations.
This launch could help:
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Bridge India’s rural-urban digital divide
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Improve connectivity for education and healthcare
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Support disaster relief and remote infrastructure
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Enhance connectivity in border regions and islands
Pricing and Consumer Access (Expected)
Starlink has not yet announced India-specific pricing, but globally, the hardware kit (Starlink dish and router) costs around $599, with monthly subscriptions starting from $120 (approx. ₹10,000).
However, prices may be revised to suit Indian market conditions, especially with competition from Jio and OneWeb.
Starlink’s Global Momentum and India’s Strategic Importance
Starlink already operates in over 70 countries, with millions of subscribers globally. The entry into India — a country with over 850 million internet users and vast rural expanses — marks a strategic milestone in the company’s global expansion.
India’s strong push for digital inclusion, support for space tech innovation, and openness to private players make it a priority market for Starlink and other satellite providers.
With regulatory clearance now complete, Starlink is finally set to become a reality for Indian users. Its high-speed, satellite-powered internet could be a game changer for rural and remote connectivity, while also ushering in healthy competition in the telecom and broadband sector.
As the company gears up to deploy infrastructure, all eyes are on how affordable, accessible, and reliable Starlink’s services will be in India — a country that values connectivity but is highly price sensitive.
Stay tuned for updates on spectrum allocation, rollout dates, and plan pricing as Starlink prepares to connect India to the stars.
