Elon Musk's Starlink finally gets license to operate in India, awaits spectrum allocation

India has officially granted a license to Elon Musk’s Starlink to offer satellite-based internet services. The announcement comes as India celebrates the 30th anniversary of its first-ever cellular phone call, made on 31 July 1995. Starlink’s entry also sets the stage for the company’s entry into one of the world’s fastest-growing digital markets. Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia confirmed that regulatory groundwork is in place to facilitate a smooth rollout.

Confirming the development, Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia stated that regulatory groundwork is in place to facilitate a smooth rollout. “Starlink has been granted a Unified License to launch satellite internet services in India. Frameworks for spectrum allocation and gateway establishment are ready, ensuring smooth rollout,” Scindia said.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) approved Starlink’s application earlier in July. The company, operated by Musk’s aerospace firm SpaceX, had first applied for the licence in 2021 but faced delays linked to spectrum allocation and regulatory hurdles.

The recent approval follows prolonged engagement with Indian authorities and marks a significant step towards expanding internet access to underserved and remote regions of the country.

Starlink will join other major players in India’s satellite broadband race, including Eutelsat OneWeb, backed by the Bharti Group, and Jio’s joint venture with Luxembourg-based SES. While both rivals have received permission to provide services, they are still awaiting spectrum allocation to begin commercial operations.