New Delhi, June 6, 2025 — After years of anticipation and regulatory hurdles, Elon Musk’s Starlink has finally received the Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) licence from India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT). The landmark approval paves the way for Starlink to officially launch satellite-based internet services across India, joining the ranks of Eutelsat’s OneWeb and Reliance Jio’s satellite arm in the country’s rapidly evolving satcom landscape.
With the GMPCS licence in hand, Starlink — a division of SpaceX — is now set to beam high-speed internet directly from its low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, particularly targeting remote, rural, and underserved regions where traditional broadband has struggled to reach.
A Long Road to Approval
Starlink’s journey into India’s telecom sector began in 2021, when it started taking pre-orders from Indian customers. However, it was forced to issue refunds after being flagged by the Indian government for operating without proper permissions. Since then, the company has been lobbying for clearances and quietly building the groundwork for a full-fledged rollout.
On Thursday, Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia confirmed the development and emphasized its national importance.
“Starlink’s satellite connectivity is a significant addition to the telecommunications services in India. It will accelerate digital inclusion, especially in the remotest corners of the country,” Scindia said.
He also noted that spectrum allocation — the next critical step — will follow soon. Once completed, commercial satellite internet operations can begin at scale.
Why Starlink Matters for India
Starlink’s entry into India is more than just a commercial expansion. It symbolizes a technological leap for a country where millions still lack reliable internet access. Despite India’s impressive strides in mobile and fiber connectivity, geographical and infrastructural challenges continue to plague far-flung villages, mountainous regions, and disaster-prone areas.
Satellite internet, particularly from LEO constellations like Starlink’s, offers a low-latency, high-speed alternative that bypasses the need for extensive ground infrastructure.
“Earlier, we had only fixed lines. Now we have mobile, broadband, and optical fiber. Satellite connectivity will complete the circle and ensure no citizen is left behind in the digital revolution,” Scindia added.
What’s Next?
Now that Starlink has its GMPCS licence, the focus will shift to spectrum assignment, followed by ground station setup, device certification, and eventually customer rollout. It’s expected that Starlink’s services will be available first in areas with limited or no internet access, followed by tier-2 and tier-3 cities, and later a nationwide offering.
While Amazon’s Project Kuiper — another global satcom giant — is still awaiting approval, Starlink’s head-start may give it a competitive edge in one of the world’s fastest-growing digital markets.
The Race is On
India’s satellite broadband sector is now heating up, with three major players — OneWeb, Jio Satellite, and Starlink — vying for market dominance. Industry analysts predict aggressive expansion strategies, with competition likely to drive lower data prices, better speeds, and wider coverage.
For Indian consumers, this means a new era of digital empowerment, especially for those who have so far remained offline due to geography, cost, or infrastructure gaps.
