India Clears Starlink to Launch Satellite Internet Services; DoT to Finalize Spectrum Norms

In a significant development for India's satellite broadband ecosystem, Elon Musk's Starlink has secured regulatory approvals from the Indian government to operate its satellite-based internet services. The clearance marks a critical milestone for the company, which has been vying to enter the Indian telecom space since 2022.

According to a report, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is now preparing to issue the much-anticipated guidelines for spectrum allocation to satellite communication providers. These guidelines are expected to be finalized within the next four to six weeks and are likely to follow a first-come, first-served approach for spectrum distribution.

Regulatory Momentum in India's Satellite Internet Sector

INSPACe Grants Starlink a Five-Year Operating Licence

The regulatory push follows the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (INSPACe) granting a five-year licence earlier this month to Starlink. The licence allows the company to deploy and operate its Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Starlink Gen1 constellation in the country.

This LEO constellation, consisting of 4,408 satellites, orbits the Earth at altitudes ranging between 540 km and 570 km. It is engineered to deliver a throughput of around 600 Gbps across the Indian territory, a capacity expected to significantly enhance connectivity in underserved and rural areas.

Spectrum Allocation the Final Hurdle Before Commercial Launch

Awaiting Spectrum Distribution Framework

Despite regulatory approvals being granted, Starlink — along with other players like Jio Satellite Communications and Eutelsat OneWeb — cannot roll out commercial services until spectrum allocation norms are finalized. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has already submitted its recommendations on pricing and allocation norms, and the DoT is expected to act on these inputs soon.

“None of these players can begin commercial services until spectrum is allocated,” the report states, underscoring the final regulatory hurdle in the way of operational rollout.

Collaborations with Indian Telecom Giants Strengthen Starlink’s Position

Partnerships with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel in Place

As part of its India strategy, Starlink has signed agreements with major telecom providers including Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel. These partnerships are expected to play a key role in infrastructure sharing, distribution, and customer acquisition once the commercial rollout is permitted.

Starlink’s entry into India is seen as part of a larger trend where LEO satellite internet is emerging as a viable solution for last-mile connectivity, particularly in remote regions where fiber-optic or terrestrial networks are impractical.

About Starlink

Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by Starlink Services, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the American aerospace company SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk. Its primary goal is to provide high-speed, low-latency broadband internet access, particularly to remote and underserved areas around the globe, where traditional internet infrastructure is unreliable or non-existent.

Here's a breakdown of key aspects about Starlink:

How it Works:

• Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellites: Unlike traditional satellite internet, which uses a few large geostationary satellites orbiting at very high altitudes (around 35,786 km), Starlink employs a "constellation" of thousands of much smaller satellites orbiting much closer to Earth (around 550 km). This lower orbit is crucial for achieving low latency.
• Ground Transceivers (Dishy): Users connect to the Starlink network via a specialized user terminal, often referred to as "Dishy," which is a self-orienting, phased-array antenna that automatically aligns itself with the nearest satellites.
• Ground Stations: Data is beamed from the satellites to ground stations, which then connect to the internet backbone. Starlink is also implementing optical intersatellite links (laser transponders) on some satellites, allowing them to transmit data directly to each other without needing a ground station for every hop, enabling truly global coverage.

Key Features and Advantages:

• High Speed & Low Latency: Due to the low orbit of its satellites, Starlink significantly reduces latency (the time it takes for data to travel), making it suitable for applications like online gaming, video calls, and streaming, which are typically challenging with traditional satellite internet. Users typically experience download speeds between 25 and 220 Mbps, with many exceeding 100 Mbps, and latency often ranging from 25 to 60 ms.
• Global Coverage Ambition: Starlink aims to provide global mobile broadband coverage. As of mid-2025, it's available in over 130 countries and territories.
• Rapid Deployment: The Starlink kit is designed for easy self-installation, allowing users to get online within minutes with a clear view of the sky.
• Resilience: The system is designed to withstand extreme weather conditions.
• Innovation: SpaceX's ability to launch its own satellites frequently allows for continuous upgrades and deployment of new technology into the constellation.

Challenges and Criticisms:

• High Upfront Cost: The hardware kit (Dishy and router) can be quite expensive, which can be a barrier to widespread adoption in some regions, despite the monthly subscription being competitive for remote areas.
• Visibility and Astronomy: The large number of Starlink satellites in orbit has raised concerns among astronomers about their brightness affecting ground-based astronomical observations and contributing to orbital congestion. SpaceX has implemented measures to mitigate this.
• Regulatory Hurdles: Starlink faces regulatory approvals and licensing processes in various countries before it can officially launch commercial services.

Starlink in India (Current Status as of mid-July 2025): Starlink has made significant progress in its journey to launch commercial broadband services in India.

• Final Regulatory Hurdle Cleared: Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited (SSCPL) has received the final regulatory approval from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe). This authorization is for a period of five years or until the end of the operational life of its Gen1 constellation, whichever is earlier.
• Previous Approvals: This follows an earlier license from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to offer Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) services, VSAT services, and ISP Category-A services.

• Next Steps: While regulatory approvals are largely in place, Starlink still needs to:

  • Obtain Spectrum: Secure the necessary spectrum (airwaves) from the Indian government.

  • Set up Ground Infrastructure: Establish ground stations and other necessary infrastructure.
  • Conduct Trials and Security Checks: Complete trials to demonstrate compliance with India's security standards.
• Partnerships: Reports suggest Starlink might collaborate with Indian telecom players like Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio for marketing and distribution.
• Market Outlook: Starlink's entry is expected to boost connectivity in remote and underserved areas of India, aligning with the government's Digital India initiative. However, the relatively high upfront hardware cost compared to existing Indian broadband offerings might be a hurdle for widespread urban adoption.

In essence, Starlink represents a transformative approach to global internet connectivity, particularly for those in areas traditionally left behind by terrestrial infrastructure. Its ongoing expansion and regulatory navigation highlight the dynamic nature of the global satellite internet market.