Satellite Internet: Elon Musk’s Starlink Secures Key License for India Entry, Becomes Third Satcom Player

New Delhi, 6th June 2025: Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture Starlink has taken a major step toward launching operations in India, having secured a crucial satellite communications (satcom) license from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), according to sources quoted by Reuters. This approval marks a pivotal moment for the company, which has been awaiting regulatory clearance since 2022.

With this license, Starlink becomes the third player in India’s satcom market, joining the ranks of OneWeb (now merged with Eutelsat) and Reliance Jio’s satellite arm. The license enables Starlink to offer broadband internet services via its low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, targeting remote and underserved regions across the country.

Regulatory Hurdles Finally Cleared
Although no official statement has been issued yet by either Starlink or the DoT, the news is in line with recent remarks by Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, who confirmed that Starlink’s licensing was in its final stages.

Starlink had initially applied for the license in 2022, but progress was delayed due to regulatory issues, particularly after the company began taking pre-bookings without government authorization — a move that drew criticism and prompted tighter scrutiny.

Now, with regulatory clearance in hand, the company is expected to announce a timeline for service rollout soon. Analysts believe this will significantly boost digital access in areas where fiber and traditional mobile networks are still inadequate or absent.

A Competitive Satcom Landscape-
Starlink’s entry intensifies competition in India’s growing space-based internet sector. Alongside existing players OneWeb and Jio Satellite, Amazon’s Project Kuiper is also pursuing market entry.

As demand rises for high-speed internet in rural and difficult-to-access terrains, satellite broadband is increasingly being seen as a viable and transformative solution for last-mile connectivity.

Implications for Digital India-
India remains one of the largest untapped internet markets globally, with tens of millions still lacking reliable connectivity. Starlink’s entry is aligned with the government’s Digital India initiative, which seeks to ensure equitable internet access across urban and rural divides.

If successful, Starlink could emerge as a game-changer in India’s telecom ecosystem, offering high-speed, low-latency connectivity to millions, and helping bridge the long-standing digital divide.