New Delhi: In a major development for India’s space and telecom sectors, Elon Musk’s Starlink Satellite Communications has received the final regulatory clearance to operate its Gen 1 low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network across the country. The authorization comes from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe), and permits Starlink to operate in India for five years or until the end of the satellite system’s lifespan clearing the last regulatory hurdle after the firm secured its GMPCS/VSAT/ISP Category A telecom licence in June.
Starlink’s Gen 1 constellation consists of roughly 4,408 satellites orbiting between 540–570 kilometers above the Earth, with the potential to deliver data speeds of up to 600 Gbps across the Indian subcontinent. However, before rolling out its services commercially, the company still needs to obtain spectrum allocation, build at least three ground-based gateway stations, complete trial spectrum procedures, conduct rigorous security audits, and obtain final clearances from multiple government bodies.
Industry experts view this as a game-changer in India’s battle to bridge its persistent digital divide. With large portions of India particularly rural, tribal, and remote communities still struggling with reliable internet access, Starlink's satellite broadband holds the promise of delivering high-speed internet where fiber and mobile towers can’t reach.
India now joins a growing list of nations embracing LEO satellite connectivity, following similar approvals given to Eutelsat OneWeb and the Reliance Jio–SES alliance. Meanwhile, other global players like Amazon’s Project Kuiper are still waiting on Indian approvals. Notably, the Indian government has chosen to bypass a spectrum auction model for satellite internet, opting instead for administrative allocation a move that sparked debate, particularly among domestic telecom providers who advocate for auction-based distribution.
Despite pricing concerns India is known for having the lowest mobile data costs in the world regulators appear confident in Starlink's potential to serve national interests. The service’s trial phase is expected to begin either later this year or early next, with commercial operations likely to start before mid-2026.
Starlink’s approval is more than just a technological milestone it could significantly reshape India’s digital landscape. With nearly 40% of India’s 1.4 billion people still offline, particularly in hard-to-reach locations like mountains, forests, islands, and interior villages, satellite internet may be the most viable solution to ensure universal connectivity.
By enabling fast, reliable internet where terrestrial infrastructure has failed, Starlink supports the government's ambitious Digital India vision and offers new hope to millions lacking access to modern communication, education, and commerce tools.
The entry of Starlink is also expected to disrupt India’s telecom sector. It introduces a fresh wave of competition, which may lead to pressure on existing operators to upgrade infrastructure and reconsider pricing strategies. At the same time, authorities are treading carefully laying down strict protocols to address national security, data privacy, and spectrum governance concerns.
In essence, Starlink’s India launch marks the dawn of a new era in connectivity one that blends space-age technology with grassroots inclusion to bring broadband to the last mile.