Starlink Gets Key Licence to Launch Internet Services in India

Elon Musk’s satellite internet company, Starlink, has received a crucial licence from India’s telecom ministry, clearing a major obstacle in its path to offering commercial services in the country, sources told Reuters on Friday.

This marks a significant step forward for the SpaceX-backed venture, which has been waiting since 2022 for regulatory approval. The delays were reportedly due to various concerns, including issues related to national security. In contrast, Amazon’s rival satellite internet project, Project Kuiper, is still waiting for a similar licence to operate in India.

Neither Starlink nor the Department of Telecommunications responded to requests for comment on the development.

Earlier this year, in March, Indian telecom major Bharti Airtel announced a partnership with SpaceX to bring Starlink to India. The deal was subject to government clearances for Starlink to begin offering its satellite-based internet services in the country.

In a surprising move, Reliance Jio—India’s largest telecom operator and a longtime competitor to Airtel—also struck a deal with SpaceX to distribute Starlink services. Under the arrangement, Jio would offer Starlink hardware through its vast retail network across India, giving Starlink a widespread distribution platform from the outset.

To operate in India both Airtel’s and Jio’s agreements hinged on Starlink securing official approval, a condition that now appears to have been met.

To bring high-speed internet to every corner of the globe using thousands of small satellites orbiting close to Earth, Starlink is SpaceX’s ambitious attempt. With over 6,750 satellites already in operation, it’s currently providing internet to millions of users worldwide—many in places where traditional connectivity has always been a challenge.

Starlink could be a game changer now, with India on the horizon. The technology has the potential to dramatically improve internet access in rural and remote parts of the country. This could mean access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities that were previously out of reach, for many villages and underserved regions.

With major telecom players like Airtel and Jio backing the rollout—and now with the government’s green light—Starlink’s entry into India seems more real than ever. If all goes according to plan, millions of Indians could soon be connected to the internet from even the most isolated corners of the country.