Starlink Secures Approval from India’s Telecom Ministry; Suggests Imminent Launch

Elon Musk's Starlink has secured a key licence from India's telecom ministry, sources told Reuters on Friday. This marks a significant step forward for the satellite internet provider, bringing it closer to launching commercial operations in the country.

Starlink becomes the third company to receive approval from India's Department of Telecommunications, following earlier clearances granted to Eutelsat's OneWeb and Reliance Jio. The company has been awaiting regulatory approval since 2022, with delays reportedly stemming from national security concerns and other regulatory hurdles.

In March, Bharti Airtel partnered with SpaceX to bring Starlink's satellite internet services to India. Subsequently, Jio also teamed up with Elon Musk's company to explore the possibility of launching Starlink's satellite connectivity in the country.

For the unaware, Starlink is a satellite internet network operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX. Unlike conventional broadband that relies on underground fiber or cellular towers, Starlink uses a constellation of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to deliver high-speed internet from space.

Moreover, Analysts suggest that Starlink's pricing strategy in India will be highly competitive. Under promotional offers, the company is expected to provide unlimited data plans for under $10 (approximately ₹840) per month, aiming to attract a wide user base.

As part of its long-term vision, Starlink is targeting up to 10 million subscribers in India. This ambitious goal is intended to offset the high cost of spectrum usage by leveraging economies of scale.

However, users should note that the monthly fee isn't the only expense. To access the service, customers will need to purchase the Starlink hardware kit, which is priced between $250 (around ₹21,300) and $380 (around ₹32,400).

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