India Greenlights Starlink: A Leap Toward Satellite Internet
India has formally granted a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) licence to Elon Musk’s Starlink, opening the doors for the commercial rollout of satellite internet services in the country. This development marks a significant milestone in India’s push to provide high-speed internet access in rural and remote regions where terrestrial connectivity remains limited or absent.
Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia hailed the decision as a key step toward fulfilling the goals of the Digital India mission. He confirmed that discussions with Starlink leadership, including President and COO Gwynne Shotwell, focused on bringing affordable, reliable connectivity to India’s underserved populations.
Satellite Broadband Revolution
Starlink operates a growing network of low-Earth orbit satellites positioned around 550 kilometers above Earth, enabling it to deliver low-latency broadband at speeds ranging from 25 Mbps to 220 Mbps. It now joins Eutelsat-OneWeb and Jio-SES as the third satellite communications operator licensed to offer services in India.
Final operational clearance is expected from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe), with a commercial rollout anticipated by late 2025 or early 2026.
Pricing and Service Model
Initial pricing is projected at approximately ₹33,000 for the hardware kit and ₹3,000 per month for service, although promotional offers could reduce entry costs to around ₹840 per month. These prices target users in remote areas where traditional fiber or mobile broadband remains unreliable or unavailable.
The service aims to support streaming, video conferencing, remote education, and telemedicine—crucial tools for empowering digital access in India’s farthest reaches.
Regulatory and Industry Landscape
India’s decision to license Starlink follows extensive debates over satellite spectrum allocation and concerns raised by domestic telecom operators. The government has chosen an administrative allocation model with TRAI proposing a 4% adjusted gross revenue (AGR) levy plus urban-area subscriber fees. Notably, users in rural zones are expected to be exempt from these charges to promote broader inclusion.
Digital Disruption and Inclusion
Starlink’s entry could reshape India’s telecom landscape by offering a competitive alternative to traditional broadband providers like Jio and Airtel. It also enhances India’s preparedness for disaster response, remote education, and high-speed connectivity in border and forested zones.
The initiative aligns with India’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat goals while reinforcing regulatory control over satellite-based communications.
As regulatory approvals proceed and infrastructure is prepared, India stands at the edge of a connectivity revolution. If Starlink’s rollout meets its timeline, millions of Indians in underserved regions may soon experience broadband-grade internet for the first time—ushering in a new chapter of inclusive digital growth.
