NEW DELHI, June 6, 2025 — In a major step toward expanding satellite-based internet connectivity in India, Elon Musk’s Starlink has received the license to provide satellite communication (satcom) services in the country, sources in the Department of Telecom (DoT) confirmed on Friday.
Starlink is now the third company to obtain this license, following in the footsteps of Jio Satellite Communications and OneWeb.
DoT sources said Starlink will be granted trial spectrum within 15 to 20 days of applying for it, paving the way for the firm to conduct live tests before commercial rollout.
Starlink, a project under Musk’s SpaceX, aims to provide high-speed broadband internet via a constellation of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. It is designed to serve remote and rural areas where traditional fiber or mobile networks are hard to deploy or unreliable.
The entry of Starlink is expected to accelerate India’s digital outreach, especially in underserved regions, and intensify competition in the satellite broadband space.
The company had earlier faced regulatory delays but has now cleared a major hurdle with this licensing approval. Further deployment will depend on spectrum allocation, ground infrastructure readiness, and commercial pricing plans.
Starlink is a satellite-based internet service developed by SpaceX, the aerospace company founded by Elon Musk.
- Purpose:
Starlink aims to deliver high-speed, low-latency internet across the globe, especially in rural and remote areas where traditional broadband services are unavailable or unreliable. - How it works:
Instead of using underground cables or cellphone towers, Starlink uses a constellation of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. These satellites orbit the Earth much closer than traditional communication satellites, enabling faster data transmission. - User setup:
Customers use a Starlink dish (antenna), a modem/router, and a power source to connect directly to the satellites overhead. - Speed & performance:
Internet speeds typically range from 50 Mbps to over 200 Mbps, with latency (delay) as low as 20 milliseconds, which is suitable for streaming, video calls, and even online gaming. - Why it matters for India:
In a country with vast rural populations and difficult terrains like the Himalayas or forested regions, Starlink could help bridge the digital divide by bringing internet to places where fiber or mobile coverage is weak or absent.
