Elon Musk’s Starlink has received important regulatory approval to begin operations in India. The final license was granted by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe), thereby removing the last obstacle before Starlink's commercial launch.
This license is valid until July 2030 and positions Starlink as the third satellite-based internet provider to be fully licensed in India, joining Eutelsat-owned OneWeb and Reliance Jio. The introduction of Starlink prepares India for a new era of high-speed satellite broadband, with commercial services expected to start by the end of 2025 or early 2026.
Starlink, part of SpaceX, received the go-ahead from IN-SPACe on July 8, 2025. This follows over two years of pursuit for commercial licences, including a recent permit from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). IN-SPACe’s decision clears Starlink to operate its Gen1 satellite constellation over India and grants use of key Ka and Ku frequency bands for both uplink and downlink. The licence remains valid for five years.
According to Reuters, Starlink will need to demonstrate security and operational standards through further testing before commercial deployment. With Starlink service in operation, the network has the potential to provide a feasible high-speed internet connection to remote and rural areas that lack the services of regular fibre or mobile networks.
Starlink aims to roll out its satellite broadband service in India by late 2025 or early 2026, provided spectrum and infrastructure requirements are met. Promotional monthly plans are expected to start at under Rs. 1,000, or about $10, with unlimited data, targeting broad consumer adoption. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has suggested urban plans at Rs. 500 per month, with additional licence and spectrum fees for providers.
Hardware pricing for India has not been finalized, but estimates place the standard kit at around Rs. 33,000. The package includes a satellite dish, stand, Wi-Fi router, and required cables. In the US, the Starlink Mini retails for $599. The company has not confirmed whether the Mini version will launch in India.
Starlink is anticipated to provide 25 Mbps to 220 Mbps to different locations, depending on the satellite's coverage. The launch data capacity is projected to be 600-700 Gbps nationwide with thousands of concurrent users. Starlink's network has already reached 100 countries and aims to expand its 6,000-satellite fleet to 42,000 in the long term.
Also Read: Starlink’s India Entry Official: Game-Changer For Rural Internet Access
Industry observers note that Starlink must still obtain spectrum allocation from the government and build out local ground infrastructure before launching. The company also faces compliance trials to satisfy national security requirements.
The Starlink launch in the country is a massive milestone, as satellite broadband regulatory hurdles have been cleared in India. By enhancing access to a digital service in locations unserved by traditional broadband, the service will give millions of households and businesses in this country a new choice.