The potential launch of Starlink in India has been a topic of much discussion and anticipation in the technology and business sectors. On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met with top executives from Starlink, including Vice President Chad Gibbs and Senior Director Ryan Goodnight, to discuss the company's plans for investment and expansion in the country. The meeting underscores the ongoing efforts to bring Starlink's satellite-based internet services to India, potentially transforming the nation's connectivity landscape.
Starlink, a division of Elon Musk's SpaceX, has been eyeing the Indian market since 2021. The company aims to provide high-speed, low-latency internet access to underserved and remote areas of the world, and India, with its vast rural landscape, presents a significant opportunity. However, Starlink's path to launching services in India has not been without obstacles.
One of the primary hurdles has been securing the necessary regulatory approvals. To operate in India, Starlink requires a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) license. While other companies, such as Bharti Group-backed OneWeb and the Jio-SES joint venture, Jio Satellite Communications, have already received licenses, Starlink and Amazon's Project Kuiper are still awaiting approval from Indian authorities. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has stated that it is conducting thorough due diligence before granting licenses to these companies.
In 2021, Starlink faced a setback when it had to refund pre-order payments to Indian customers due to regulatory uncertainties. This underscored the importance of navigating the complex regulatory landscape in India to ensure a successful launch.
Despite these challenges, recent developments suggest that Starlink is making progress towards obtaining the necessary approvals. It's been reported that Starlink has submitted its formal acceptance of key conditions set by the government, including security and data storage requirements. The company has also agreed to comply with the provision of shifting, or relocation, of user terminals based on geolocation and proper authorization.
Moreover, Starlink has secured agreements with India's largest telecom companies, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, to distribute its services in the country. This move is seen as a strategic partnership that could ease Starlink's entry into the Indian market. Jio and Airtel will make Starlink equipment available in their retail stores and offer customer service, installation, and activation support to customers.
Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has emphasized the importance of satellite internet for enhancing connectivity in India's rural and remote regions. He noted that satellite networks could be vital during emergencies when natural disasters damage terrestrial infrastructure. Scindia has also stated that any company willing to operate in India must comply with local regulations and licensing requirements.
While the exact pricing and speeds that Indian users can expect from Starlink are yet to be revealed, it is anticipated that the service will offer download speeds ranging from 25 to 220 Mbps and upload speeds between 5 and 20 Mbps. However, some analysts predict that Starlink's pricing in India may be higher than traditional broadband providers due to capacity constraints and regulatory hurdles.
As Starlink moves closer to its India launch, it is expected to face competition from other satellite internet providers and established telecom operators. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is in the process of finalizing the methodology for allocating and pricing spectrum for satellite services, which will play a crucial role in determining the long-term viability of Starlink and other players in the market.
