India Approves Starlink Licence, Paving Way for Satellite Internet Revolution

NEW DELHI — India has officially granted a licence to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service, marking a major step toward expanding high-speed connectivity across the country, particularly in underserved and remote regions.

The announcement was made by Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, who described a recent meeting with SpaceX President and COO Gwynne Shotwell as “productive.” Shotwell reportedly welcomed the development, calling it “a great start to the journey.”

Starlink, operated by SpaceX, delivers broadband internet via a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites. Its entry into the Indian market has sparked debate over regulatory frameworks, including concerns about spectrum allocation and pricing models.

The approval follows earlier partnerships announced in March between SpaceX and two of India’s largest telecom providers—Jio Platforms and Bharti Airtel—to integrate Starlink’s services into their offerings.

However, the rollout hasn’t been without friction. Elon Musk has previously clashed with Jio owner Mukesh Ambani over the method of allocating satellite spectrum, advocating for administrative allocation rather than auctions.

While Musk’s current footprint in India is limited to the social media platform X, his electric vehicle company Tesla is also preparing for a formal entry into the Indian market.

The licence approval positions Starlink to play a key role in India’s digital transformation, especially in bridging the connectivity gap in rural and remote areas.