Elon Musk’s Starlink Poised for India Entry with License Approval Expected in Days

Starlink, the satellite communications arm of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, is on the verge of receiving the Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) license from the Indian government. This marks a significant milestone in its bid to provide high-speed internet across the country.

According to sources cited by The Times of India and The Economic Times, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued a Letter of Intent (LoI) to Starlink on May 7, 2025, with the final license expected within days, following security clearances from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The approval comes after Starlink agreed to comply with India’s stringent security and data localization norms, including establishing a command and control centre in the country.

Additionally, the company is awaiting clearance from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) to operate its satellites in Indian airspace, a process reportedly in its final stages. The Hindu noted that an inter-ministerial committee is likely to greenlight this soon, enabling Starlink to compete with players like Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications.This development aligns with recent regulatory advancements.

On May 9, 2025, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recommended a 4% adjusted gross revenue (AGR) spectrum charge and an 8% AGR license fee for satcom operators.

Starlink has also partnered with telecom giants Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel to distribute its services, leveraging their dominance in India’s telecom market.The impending launch is expected to transform internet access, particularly in rural and remote areas, addressing India’s digital divide.

However, some have highlighted potential challenges, noting that Starlink’s estimated monthly subscription of ₹840–₹7,000 and hardware costs of $349–$599 may limit affordability for many.

The company plans to initially target urban centres with 600–700 Gbps bandwidth, serving 30,000–50,000 customers, before expanding to underserved regions.

The approval also carries geopolitical significance.

Reports in The Indian Express suggest it may be tied to India’s trade negotiations with the United States, aiming to strengthen bilateral ties amid discussions to counter Trump-era tariffs.