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Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, Starlink, has secured a significant regulatory approval in India, marking a pivotal step toward launching its commercial services in the country. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has granted Starlink the Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) license, making it the third company after Eutelsat’s OneWeb and the Reliance Jio-SES partnership to receive such authorization in India.

This development follows a protracted application process that began in 2022, during which Starlink faced delays due to national security concerns. The recent approval indicates that Starlink has met the necessary conditions set by Indian authorities, including compliance with data storage and interception requirements.

Despite this progress, Starlink must still obtain additional clearances before commencing operations. These include securing spectrum allocations, establishing ground infrastructure, and demonstrating compliance with security protocols through testing and trials. The company is also awaiting approval from India’s space regulator, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe).

In March 2025, Starlink entered into agreements with major Indian telecom operators Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel to distribute its equipment, signaling collaborative efforts to enhance internet connectivity across the country. However, these partnerships have not mitigated concerns from domestic telecom providers regarding regulatory policies. The Cellular Operators Association of India, representing companies like Jio and Airtel, has expressed apprehension over the proposed 4% annual revenue fee for satellite service providers, arguing that it creates an uneven playing field compared to the higher fees terrestrial operators pay.

India’s satellite internet market is poised for significant growth, with projections estimating it to reach $1.9 billion by 2030. Starlink’s entry into this market aims to address the digital divide, particularly in remote and underserved regions where traditional internet infrastructure is lacking. The company’s low Earth orbit satellite constellation is designed to provide high-speed, low-latency internet services, potentially transforming connectivity in these areas.

While the GMPCS license marks a crucial milestone for Starlink, the company must navigate the remaining regulatory and infrastructural requirements before launching its services in India. The timeline for commercial rollout will depend on the completion of these processes, including spectrum allocation, infrastructure development, and compliance with security standards.