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Starlink Gets Final Approval to Launch Satellite Internet Services Across India

India's digital landscape is poised for a giant transformation after regulatory approvals finally allow Starlink to launch satellite internet services in the country. After years of being stuck in a strong bureaucratic delay, the Indian government finally granted the necessary licenses. 

Given the increasing connectivity and closing the digital divide for millions of people in rural and isolated regions, this is something that can potentially bridge that gap, or finally come up with a solution. With over 40% of citizens in India not having reliable internet access, Starlink has the potential to shift the paradigm of accessing the internet. Starlink, however, will face stiff competition from the likes of Jio and OneWeb Air etc.

Regulatory Approvals and Roll-Out Plan

In June 2025, Starlink received its Unified License from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) of India, and in July 2025, the final approval from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe). This license is for 5 years and can allow Starlink to operate the Gen-1 satellite constellation above India. This Gen-1 satellite constellation consists of approximately 4,000 low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites.

Before launching commercial operations, there are a few requirements for Starlink:  

  • Obtain satcom spectrum allocation (to be provided via administrative assignment, not auction).  
  • Establish ground stations and gateways to meet India's data localization laws.    
  • Finish trial phases to satisfy compliance with security measures to demonstrate lawful interception capabilities.  

Issues and Competition

While Starlink's technology is next-gen, in India, they will overcome the upfront hurdles. At Rs. 8.9 per GB, mobile data in India is the cheapest globally. Moreover, Reliance Jio and OneWeb (supported by Bharti Airtel) are trying to capture the market and will use SpaceX and their second-mover advantage of existing Telecom infrastructure. 

The Indian government estimated that Starlink would be able to service, at most, 20 lakh (2 million customers) in their first phase, especially focusing on rural customers and border villages.

India's Digital Leap and Future Possibilities

Starlink's entry aligns well with India's ambitious digital growth, evidenced by the 970 million internet subscribers, a whopping 286% increase since 2014. There is 5G coverage in 99.6% of all districts, with plans to take the lead in 6G. The BSNL has experienced a resurgence, as it reports profitability for the first time in 18 years. 

Industry experts doubt satellite internet will replace other existing networks, especially in hard-to-reach territories like the Himalayas and the Northeast."The coming three decades will truly be an Atmanirbhar Bharat that will lead the world in innovation from within our borders." Prajapati said.

A New Era for India’s Digital Future

The approval of Starlink is a major milestone in India's ambition for universal access. While there will certainly be difficulties ahead, the affordable high-speed, low-latency broadband secured by Starlink could also deliver far-reaching change in education, health, and commerce to the most disadvantaged communities. In the great contest between Musk's satellites and Ambani's fibre, we can already conclude: India will soon crack the digital dam.