Elon Musk’s Starlink Gets Satellite Internet License for India Launch
In a major milestone for India’s digital expansion, Elon Musk-led Starlink has received a Unified License from the Indian government to launch satellite-based internet services in the country. Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced on Thursday, stating that frameworks for spectrum allocation and gateway establishment are already in place to ensure a smooth and efficient rollout.
The announcement came on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the first-ever cellular call in India, marking a symbolic leap from traditional telecom services to cutting-edge satellite technology. Starlink’s entry is expected to significantly enhance internet connectivity in underserved and remote regions, further bridging the digital divide.
In addition to Starlink, other major players like Bharti Group-backed Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio SES are also awaiting spectrum allocation for their satellite communication services, signaling a competitive and innovation-driven future in India’s telecom space.
Minister Scindia also highlighted India’s tremendous growth in telecommunications over the past decade. Telephone connections have reached 1.2 billion, while internet subscriptions have grown by 286% to 970 million. Broadband usage has skyrocketed from 60 million in 2014 to 944 million in 2025, an increase of over 1,450%. Most notably, India now offers the world’s most affordable mobile data, with prices dropping 96.6% to just ₹8.9 per GB.
He further noted the revival of BSNL, which has reported back-to-back profits for the first time in 18 years, with 74,000 4G sites operational using indigenously developed technology. The country’s 5G revolution has already covered 99.6% of districts, with 4.74 lakh towers and 300 million users. India also boasts the highest per capita 5G data usage in the world—32 GB per month.
As India now works toward developing 6G and leads in global patent filings, industry experts view this moment as a defining step in the country’s journey toward digital self-reliance and leadership in future technologies.
With Starlink’s license approval, India takes another leap in making high-speed internet accessible to all, reinforcing its position as a global leader in affordable, inclusive, and innovative technology.
