India has officially granted Elon Musk’s Starlink a Unified License to offer satellite-based internet services, paving the way for the company to enter one of the world’s most dynamic digital markets. The approval coincides with the 30th anniversary of India’s first cellular phone call, made on 31 July 1995, marking a symbolic moment in the nation’s telecom evolution.
Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia confirmed the news, noting that all necessary regulatory frameworks have been established to support a smooth rollout.
“Starlink has been granted a Unified License to launch satellite internet services in India. Frameworks for spectrum allocation and gateway establishment are ready, ensuring smooth rollout,” Scindia stated, as reported by PTI.
The approval was granted by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) earlier in July, after Starlink’s prolonged wait since it first applied in 2021. Regulatory delays, particularly surrounding spectrum allocation and infrastructure norms, had previously held back the process. The recent green light comes after extended coordination with Indian authorities and is seen as a major step forward in delivering internet connectivity to remote and underserved areas across the country.
Starlink, operated by SpaceX, will now enter India’s growing satellite internet space alongside competitors like Eutelsat OneWeb (supported by the Bharti Group) and Jio’s joint venture with SES of Luxembourg. While these players have also secured government approval to offer satellite broadband, they are still waiting for spectrum allocation before launching commercial services.
India’s satellite internet segment is gaining momentum, especially as the government looks to bridge the digital divide in rural and isolated regions. Starlink’s entry is expected to significantly boost connectivity in areas where traditional broadband infrastructure remains inaccessible or costly to deploy.
Scindia also highlighted India’s rapid technological advancement over the past decade, particularly under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the country’s digital transformation over the last 11 years has been “nothing short of extraordinary.”
Starlink’s licensing marks a new chapter in India’s connectivity landscape and reinforces the government’s commitment to universal digital access.
