Starlink Secures Indian License to Launch Satellite Services Amid Regulatory Hurdles
Elon Musk’s Starlink has obtained a license from India’s telecom ministry to commence commercial satellite communications operations in the country, according to two sources speaking to Reuters. The approval marks a key milestone for Starlink, which has been pursuing entry into the Indian market since 2022.
Starlink becomes the third company to receive such a license from India’s Department of Telecommunications, joining Eutelsat’s OneWeb and Reliance Jio. While the telecom ministry and Starlink have not publicly commented on the development, sources indicate that Starlink still faces several regulatory steps before it can begin offering services.
The satellite operator must now secure a separate license from India’s space regulator, which it is reportedly close to obtaining. Beyond that, Starlink will need to acquire spectrum rights from the government, build local ground infrastructure, and conduct testing to meet stringent security requirements. The full process is expected to take several more months.
Musk previously met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Modi’s U.S. visit in February, where Starlink’s entry plans and India’s security concerns were discussed.
The licensing breakthrough arrives at a sensitive time for Musk. His feud with U.S. President Donald Trump over government contracts has put approximately $22 billion of SpaceX’s U.S. government work at risk, making Starlink’s international expansion even more crucial.
In a surprising twist earlier this year, Indian telecom giants Jio and Bharti Airtel announced they would stock Starlink equipment in their stores, despite directly competing in broadband services. Notably, Musk and Jio’s Mukesh Ambani had clashed for months over how satellite spectrum should be allocated in India. Ultimately, the Indian government sided with Musk’s preference for assigned rather than auctioned spectrum.
India’s telecom regulator has proposed a 4% annual revenue share fee for satellite providers, which some domestic firms argue is too low and could harm their businesses. Nevertheless, the Indian satellite broadband market is projected to reach $1.9 billion by 2030, according to Deloitte, attracting global competitors like Starlink and Amazon’s Kuiper, which is still awaiting licensing approval.