Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture Starlink, has received regulatory approval from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to operate in India. This marks a vital milestone in India’s journey towards satellite-based broadband access, especially for remote and underserved regions.
Starlink Receives License in India
The Department of Telecommunications has issued a Letter of Intent (LoI) to Starlink for offering Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS), Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT), and Internet Service Provider (ISP) services. The clearance came after Starlink submitted a formal undertaking to comply with India’s revised telecom security guidelines. A government official confirmed the approval, stating that Starlink will receive the final license once it meets all regulatory conditions outlined in the LoI.
Just a day before the LoI was granted, the Indian government announced tighter rules for satellite internet operators. The updated guidelines now require providers to ensure lawful data interception, local data storage, secure satellite gateway infrastructure, and compliance with local manufacturing standards. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (In-SPACe) is also expected to give Starlink the green light shortly.
Internet Services for Remote Areas
According to Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State for Communications, Starlink’s services will primarily cater to remote and rural households where traditional mobile and broadband networks fail to reach. He assured that concerns about market dominance were misplaced, saying, “People are so scared they will take away all the market… that is not true. Their service and hardware costs are high.” This clarifies that Starlink aims to bridge the digital divide without competing directly with mainstream urban telecom providers.
Starlink Partners With Jio and Airtel
Starlink, which first applied for the GMPCS license in 2022, must now establish earth station gateways to begin full-scale operations. With over 6,750 satellites already in low-Earth orbit, Starlink is known for offering high-speed, low-latency internet services in challenging geographies. In India, the company is collaborating with major telecom operators like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel to distribute its services in far-flung and poorly connected areas.
High-Speed Satellite Internet
The Starlink approval signals a transformative shift in India’s connectivity landscape. With its advanced satellite network and global experience, the company is poised to play a vital role in enhancing digital inclusion. By focusing on areas with limited internet access, Starlink aims to deliver reliable broadband where it’s needed the most, supporting the government’s Digital India mission.
