Elon Musk's Starlink gets govt nod to launch satellite internet service in India

Starlink, the satellite internet initiative led by Elon Musk's SpaceX, has achieved a significant milestone by obtaining regulatory approval from India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT). This green light allows Starlink to move forward with its plans to offer internet services across the nation. The approval includes the Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) license, positioning Starlink as the third entity to gain such authorization in India, following Bharti Airtel-Eutelsat's OneWeb and Reliance Jio. Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia confirmed the development, indicating that the next phase involves spectrum allocation, which will pave the way for widespread service launch. Scindia expressed confidence in the rapid expansion of satellite telecom services, stating, “I am sure the customer base in India will grow substantially.” Starlink’s ambitions in India date back to 2021, but initial efforts were stalled due to regulatory challenges, leading the company to refund pre-order payments. This latest approval signifies a renewed commitment to entering one of the world’s most promising satellite internet markets, especially as competitors like Amazon’s Project Kuiper are still awaiting their own approvals. Highlighting the vital role of satellite connectivity, Scindia noted its potential to address the digital divide in remote and underserved regions, where traditional fiber or mobile networks face challenges. “Earlier, there was only fixed line. Today, there is mobile connectivity, broadband, and optical fibre. Along with these, satellite connectivity is also very important,” he stated. With the GMPCS license now secured, India's satellite communications sector stands on the brink of significant transformation, ready to deliver broadband from space and enhance connectivity across the subcontinent.