Startup Originals Team
Elon Musk’s satellite-internet venture, Starlink (operated by SpaceX), is on the verge of securing its last regulatory permission to launch its service in India. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN‑SPACe) has issued a draft “letter of intent” to Starlink. Once both parties formalize and sign this document, Starlink will receive final authorisation-placing it on par with competitors like Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite, who have already obtained similar clearances.
Licence Status: GMPCS and Spectrum:
Last month, Starlink obtained the Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) licence, making it the third satellite communicator authorized in India for commercial services. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) began processing Starlink’s application in November 2022. Authorities have confirmed Starlink met the technical and security requirements and that the GMPCS licence is imminent. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) is finalizing guidelines for satellite spectrum allocation, including pricing, duration, and frequency bands-key steps before Starlink begins operations.
Ground Infrastructure & Security Checks Pending:
Despite regulatory nods, Starlink cannot yet begin operations. According to Indian norms, the company must deploy ground infrastructure-such as earth stations and control centres-within India. It must also undergo trials to demonstrate compliance with India’s security standards. Only after clearance from security agencies can Starlink officially start offering its services to Indian customers.
Pricing & Service Offers in India:
Business Standard reports suggest Starlink kits in India will likely cost around ₹33,000, with monthly subscription plans ranging from ₹3,000 to ₹4,200. These figures are tentative but align with Starlink’s global pricing model.
Tie-ups with Indian Telcos:
In March 2025, Bharti Airtel entered into an agreement with SpaceX to distribute Starlink equipment through its retail outlets and sell services to business customers-pending regulatory clearance. This collaboration signals how Starlink intends to leverage existing telecom networks to accelerate its entry into India.
Government Perspective & Strategic Aims:
From the government’s standpoint, introducing satellite-based broadband services-including Starlink-aims to boost internet connectivity in remote and underserved areas. Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has welcomed new satcom players, provided they fulfill India’s stringent regulatory and security norms. Similarly, MoS Telecom Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani affirmed the approval process is in its final phase, highlighting that security compliance remains the crux.
What Lies Ahead – Road to Launch:
- IN‑SPACe must convert the draft letter into a signed final order.
- DoT/Trai needs to finalise spectrum policy and allocation rules.
- Starlink must install required ground infrastructure on Indian soil.
- The service must undergo trial runs and clearance by India’s security agencies.
- Following these steps, commercial rollout would begin-potentially within the next 12 months
