Starlink Sees Positive Response From India, Awaits Final Satellite Licence

Elon Musk-led Starlink on Wednesday said its discussions with the Indian government remain active and productive, pushing back against reports that approvals for its commercial launch in the country have been put on hold.

The statement came after a source-based media report claimed that India had effectively frozen approvals for Starlink’s satellite communication services due to concerns over the use of its satellite terminals in the ongoing Iran conflict.

Encouraging Feedback From The Government

Lauren Dreyer, Vice President for Starlink Business Operations, said on the social media platform X that the company continues to engage with Indian authorities and has followed all regulatory and compliance requirements laid down by the government.

According to Dreyer, Starlink has received encouraging feedback from the government regarding the role its satellite network could play in supporting India’s connectivity goals, particularly in remote and underserved areas.

Starlink has applied for a licence to offer satellite communication services in India. The government has already issued a letter of intent to the company. The final licence, however, is still awaited. The company said it remains committed to entering the Indian market and is working closely with authorities to launch services in the country at the earliest.

Licence Process Nears Final Stage

The latest clarification comes at a crucial stage for India’s satellite broadband sector, where operators are preparing for commercial rollouts after years of regulatory approvals and policy discussions.

Starlink is among the three major players seeking to build satellite-based internet services in India. The government has already granted licences to:

• Bharti Group-backed Eutelsat OneWeb

• Jio-SES joint venture Jio Space Technology Ltd

Both companies are currently awaiting spectrum allocation before starting commercial services. Starlink’s final approval is being closely watched as it would add another global player to the emerging satellite broadband market.

India-Specific Deployment Model

Dreyer said Starlink has developed a deployment model tailored specifically for India to comply with the country’s technology, regulatory and security requirements.

She said the company's approach reflects its effort to operate within India’s strategic and sovereign framework while meeting all compliance obligations. The company also stressed that its engagement with Indian authorities has been transparent throughout the approval process.

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Potential Impact On Indian Telecom And Satellite Firms

Starlink’s planned launch in India is set to add another player to a market that is only beginning to take shape. Companies such as Ananth Tech are also gearing up to roll out satellite broadband services by 2028.

Most operators are targeting areas where internet connectivity remains patchy or unavailable. These include remote villages, mountainous regions, and locations where laying fibre networks is either difficult or financially unviable.

Sources:

The Hindu Businessline

The Economic Times