Starlink Cleared for India: Elon Musk’s Satellite Internet Set to Transform Connectivity Across Remote Regions

Elon Musk's Starlink has been granted final regulatory approval to start satellite internet operations in India. The license from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) allows Starlink to operate its Gen1 satellite constellation in India through July 2030.

This milestone brings Starlink as the third satellite internet business entirely licensed in India, preceded by Eutelsat's OneWeb and Reliance Jio. This follows a two-year setback and a recent DoT approval. With this clearance, Starlink can begin setting up ground infrastructure, purchasing spectrum, and conducting trials to meet national security standards.

Starlink service is set to launch later in 2025 or early 2026, targeting underserved and rural communities with no conventional broadband. The satellite internet network will provide 25 Mbps to 220 Mbps speeds, with a nationwide data capacity of 600–700 Gbps estimated.

Pricing will start at ₹3,000 to ₹4,200 per month for unlimited data, while hardware kits will cost around ₹33,000. The kits include a satellite dish, stand, Wi-Fi router, and cables. Starlink has also partnered with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel to distribute and install the service.

This launch is an excellent move in bridging India's digital divide, bringing high-speed internet to rural and remote crores. Starlink's entry is set to revolutionize the internet scene in the country and push the Digital India mission at a faster pace.