ISLAMABAD: Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, Starlink, has secured a key operational license from India’s Ministry of Telecommunications, according to Reuters sources.
This marks a significant breakthrough for Starlink’s long-pending commercial entry into the South Asian market, although several regulatory steps remain before the service can officially launch.
The licence approval follows years of delays and extensive discussions around national security compliance. Starlink now becomes the third satellite internet provider to receive such authorization in India, following approvals granted to Eutelsat’s OneWeb and Reliance Jio.
The development comes just months after Elon Musk’s meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a U.S. visit, where Starlink’s India ambitions and security-related conditions were key topics of discussion.
Security Compliance and Additional Approvals Awaited
Despite the major progress, Starlink still has hurdles to cross. It must now obtain a separate operating licence from India’s space regulator—a process said to be in advanced stages.
Additionally, the company will need to conduct rigorous security tests and technical trials to prove compliance with India’s national standards.
“This will take a couple of months at least and will be a rigorous process,” a source familiar with the matter said. Only after clearance from Indian security agencies will Starlink be allowed to commercially offer equipment and broadband services to customers.
Interestingly, telecom giants Jio and Bharti Airtel have announced plans to stock Starlink hardware in their retail stores, indicating a collaborative approach on distribution—even as they prepare to compete directly in broadband service offerings.
India’s Satellite Internet Market Heats Up
Starlink’s progress coincides with a broader regulatory debate on how India manages satellite spectrum.
Musk had previously clashed with domestic operators, notably Jio, over whether spectrum should be assigned or auctioned. The Indian government ultimately backed Musk’s position.
India’s telecom regulator recently proposed that satellite service providers contribute 4% of their annual revenue to the government—a figure some domestic players argue is too low and unfair.
Nevertheless, market analysts project India’s satellite broadband industry will grow to $1.9 billion by 2030, attracting global players like Amazon’s Kuiper, which is still awaiting its license.
