India Approves Starlink Licence, Boosting Satellite Internet Access

India has officially granted a licence to Elon Musk’s Starlink, paving the way for satellite-based internet services in the country. Starlink, operated by SpaceX, delivers high-speed internet through low Earth orbit satellites, especially in remote and underserved regions. The announcement was made by Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, who had a meeting with SpaceX President and COO Gwynne Shotwell. She described the licence as a “great start” to Starlink’s journey in India.

This move adds a new player to India’s growing digital ecosystem, alongside major telecoms like Jio Platforms and Bharti Airtel, both of whom have signed deals with SpaceX to offer satellite internet services. However, Starlink’s entry has also reignited discussions on spectrum allocation and pricing practices, with Musk clashing with Jio’s owner Mukesh Ambani over the method of spectrum distribution.

Meanwhile, Musk’s other venture, Tesla, is also preparing for its launch in India.

Source: The Economic Times