Starlink Gets Government Approval to Launch Satellite Internet in India

starlink Secures Green Light to Launch Satellite Internet Across India
 India has formally granted Starlink, the satellite internet arm of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, the go-ahead to begin commercial operations. This comes after the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued a Unified Licence on July 31, 2025, officially enabling Starlink to offer broadband connectivity via satellite throughout the country.

The announcement was confirmed by Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, who stated that the central government had also finalized regulations governing spectrum distribution and ground-based infrastructure—clearing all key policy hurdles for the rollout.

This licensing milestone follows two earlier approvals. First, Starlink received the GMPCS (Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite) permit on June 6, 2025, which allowed it to operate satellite communication services within Indian territory. Then, on July 9, India’s national space authorization body IN-SPACe issued its final regulatory clearance, completing the last phase of the approval process.

With these steps complete, Starlink is now fully authorized to launch its low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet services, aimed particularly at remote, rural, and geographically isolated areas where traditional broadband infrastructure is either insufficient or entirely absent.

India’s inclusion in the Starlink network is part of a broader push by the government to bridge the digital divide. The strategy includes major investments in 5G expansion, public Wi-Fi initiatives, and revitalization of public sector telecom players such as BSNL.

Starlink’s India operations are expected to begin by the end of 2025, starting with select regions like Ladakh, northeast India, and desert zones in Rajasthan, where internet access remains limited.

Industry analysts view Starlink’s entry as a transformative move that could benefit sectors like education, healthcare, agriculture, and emergency services—especially in underserved regions.

With this licence in hand, Starlink becomes one of the few foreign players with full regulatory approval to operate in India’s rapidly growing digital communications space.