New Delhi: After nearly three years of waiting, Elon Musk’s satellite internet firm Starlink has received its final regulatory approval to begin commercial services in India. Three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that Starlink has secured a license from India’s space regulator, clearing the last hurdle for its official rollout.
The approval follows last month’s green light from India’s telecom ministry. That nod was important, but Starlink still needed the Department of Space’s permission before it could move forward. With both clearances now in hand, the company is one step closer to launching its satellite broadband services in the country.
India clears Starlink for commercial services
This development means Starlink is now the third satellite internet provider to receive government permission to enter the Indian market, joining Eutelsat’s OneWeb and Reliance Jio’s satellite venture. Starlink’s entry could shake things up in the rural broadband segment, where many areas still lack reliable high-speed internet.
But before users in India can start connecting to Starlink’s satellites, there’s more work to be done. The company will still need to:
- Secure spectrum from the government
- Set up its ground-based infrastructure
- Conduct testing to meet Indian security requirements
Starlink has agreed to comply with India’s rules, but implementation will take time. So, even though the approval is official, services might not roll out instantly.
Spectrum debate: Musk vs Ambani
Starlink’s regulatory journey in India has not been smooth. The most notable roadblock was the ongoing debate over how satellite spectrum should be allocated. Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio pushed for spectrum auctions, while Starlink argued for direct assignment instead of bidding.
Eventually, India’s government agreed with Musk’s view. That decision helped pave the way for Starlink’s progress. The spectrum battle had delayed the process for months, but the latest nod from the space department shows that the government is finally ready to move ahead with satellite internet providers.
What happens next?
Now that Starlink has the paperwork sorted, the focus will shift to logistics. Rolling out satellite internet in India is no small task. Setting up user terminals, base stations, and coordinating with local agencies could take several months. The company hasn’t shared a timeline for when services will begin.
Back in 2022, Starlink had already started taking pre-orders in India but had to refund payments after facing pushback from regulators. This time, with all permissions in place, the launch looks more likely than ever.
While there’s no official comment yet from Starlink or the Department of Space, the approval is a significant move in India’s push for wider internet access, especially in hard-to-reach areas.