Starlink Gets License to Launch Satellite Internet in India

• Starlink’s Unified License enables satellite internet launch in India by late 2025 or early 2026.
• Partnerships with Airtel and Jio will drive nationwide distribution, targeting 2 million connections.
• Standard Kit costs Rs 33,000; monthly subscription at Rs 3,000 offers speeds up to 250 Mbps.

Starlink, the satellite internet venture led by Elon Musk, has received approval to enter India’s broadband market, marking a significant step toward enhancing connectivity in the country. The Union Telecom Minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia, announced that Starlink has been granted a Unified License to provide satellite-based internet services, with a regulatory framework now in place to facilitate a seamless rollout.

“Starlink has been granted a Unified License to launch satellite internet services in India. Frameworks for spectrum allocation and gateway establishment are ready, ensuring a smooth rollout,” Scindia stated. Following regulatory clearances, Starlink is poised to launch its services in India by late 2025 or early 2026, pending final approvals. The company will offer high-speed internet with speeds ranging from 50 Mbps to 250 Mbps, with a cap of 2 million user connections nationwide.

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The service will be deployed to provide stable seamless connectivity especially in remoteness and underserved regions and only needs clear line of sight to the sky. Starlink has collaborated with Indian Telecom giants Airtel and Reliance Jio to tap their distribution channels to bring it to India across the country.

This collaboration follows Starlink’s efforts since 2022 to secure regulatory approval, which faced delays due to concerns, including national security. The company joins OneWeb and Reliance Jio as the third provider of satellite communication services in India.

The Starlink Standard Kit, priced at approximately Rs 33,000 (around $395), includes a satellite dish, mounting bracket, Wi-Fi router, cables, and a power supply unit. The monthly subscription fee is expected to be around Rs 3,000. With over 6,000 satellites already in orbit and plans to expand to 42,000 by 2027, Starlink aims to revolutionize internet access in India, joining its global network spanning over 100 countries.