Starlink Has Received Satellite Internet Permit, Spectrum Norms Ready: Scindia

Elon Musk-led Starlink has been granted a Unified Licence to launch satellite internet services in India, Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced on Thursday.

The announcement was made on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the first cellular call in India, made in 1995.

"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 said during the Mobile Conclave in New Delhi.

The minister highlighted that the government has finalized a framework for spectrum allocation to facilitate the deployment of satellite communication (satcom) services.

Alongside Starlink, Bharti Group-backed Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio SES are also awaiting spectrum allocation to commence their satcom operations in India.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has been working to streamline regulations for satellite-based services.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recently submitted recommendations on spectrum pricing and allocation, proposing a model based on administrative allocation with a 4 per cent fee on adjusted gross revenue (AGR) for five years.

This approach aligns with international standards set by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), which advocates for assigned spectrum for satellite services rather than auctions. The DoT is expected to finalize these guidelines within the next four to six weeks.

Starlink, operated by SpaceX, received approval from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) earlier this month to operate its Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Gen1 satellite constellation, comprising 4,408 satellites orbiting between 540 and 570 km.

The authorization is valid until July 7, 2030. However, Starlink must secure trial spectrum and complete security compliance before launching full commercial services. The company plans to establish at least three gateway stations across India to support its operations.

Scindia also highlighted the revival of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) as a major achievement. “For the first time in 18 years, BSNL reported back-to-back net profits of ₹262 crore and ₹280 crore in FY 2024-25. Over 83,000 4G sites have been installed, with 74,000 operational, all built on indigenously developed technology,” he said.

India’s 5G rollout has reached 99.6% of districts, with 4.74 lakh 5G towers and 300 million users, boasting the world’s highest per capita 5G usage at 32 GB per month.

Commenting on the 30th anniversary of India’s first cellular call, COAI Director General SP Kochhar said the telecom sector has undergone a phenomenal transformation.

“India is the world’s second-largest telecom market, with 1.2 billion subscribers and affordable tariffs. An Indian subscriber uses over 21 GB of data monthly, reflecting world-class infrastructure,” he said.

Investments under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme have reached ₹4,305 crore, generating ₹85,391 crore in sales and over 28,000 jobs.

Starlink’s entry, alongside other satcom providers, is expected to enhance internet connectivity in rural and remote areas, supporting India’s goal of inclusive digital growth.