Elon Musk’s Starlink Secures Telecom Licence to Operate in India
Elon Musk’s Starlink has officially received a telecom licence from India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT), according to two government sources, paving the way for the satellite internet company to begin its commercial journey in one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing digital markets.
This approval ends a long wait for Starlink, which had been seeking licences since 2022. The company is now the third to gain such clearance in India, following UK-based Eutelsat’s OneWeb and domestic giant Reliance Jio. The decision signals India’s growing openness to space-based connectivity as it aims to bridge rural and remote digital divides.
Although a significant milestone, the road ahead for Starlink includes several regulatory and infrastructural hurdles. The company must still secure a separate licence from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) and get spectrum allotments from the Indian government. Additionally, Starlink must build out local ground stations and pass rigorous security verifications and trials before launching its services commercially.
“This process will take at least a couple of months,” one of the sources told Reuters, citing the security sensitivities involved.
Starlink, a division of Musk’s SpaceX, has been locked in regulatory discussions with Indian authorities over concerns including national security, data routing, and spectrum allocation. In February, Elon Musk discussed these issues in a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his U.S. visit.
Interestingly, Indian telecom giants like Bharti Airtel and Jio—Starlink’s future competitors—have agreed to stock Starlink equipment in their retail outlets. While this could hint at retail collaboration, competition in broadband service offerings is expected to intensify.
Starlink’s approval comes amid rising interest in India’s satellite internet sector. A Deloitte report projects the market to grow to $1.9 billion by 2030, attracting interest from other global players like Amazon’s Kuiper, which still awaits licensing in India.
Meanwhile, India’s telecom regulator has proposed satellite operators pay only 4% of their revenue to the government, a move that local operators have criticized as disproportionately low and potentially damaging to the domestic industry.
Despite regulatory and competitive challenges, Starlink’s entry is expected to significantly impact India’s digital transformation. By providing high-speed internet to underserved regions, it could enhance educational access, healthcare delivery, e-governance, and e-commerce.
With its initial approval in place, Starlink is poised to play a key role in shaping India’s space-tech and broadband future—pending its ability to clear the final bureaucratic and technical barriers.