Elon Musk’s Starlink has received a crucial license from India’s Department of Telecommunications to offer satellite communication (satcom) services in the country, becoming the third player to do so after OneWeb and Reliance Jio. This license is a major step toward launching commercial satellite-based internet, particularly in rural and remote areas where connectivity remains limited. However, Starlink must still secure approvals from India’s space regulator, acquire spectrum, set up ground infrastructure, and meet various security and compliance norms before it can begin operations. Despite these challenges, the move is seen as a significant development in expanding digital access across India, though the company will face tough competition from India’s low-cost data providers and other upcoming satellite internet ventures like Amazon’s Project Kuiper.
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