Elon Musk’s satellite-based internet venture, Starlink, has officially been granted the GMPCS (Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite) license from India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT). This milestone allows Starlink to legally operate and offer satellite internet services throughout India.
Starlink is now the third company to obtain this license, joining the ranks of OneWeb (supported by Eutelsat) and Reliance Jio. This approval signals Elon Musk's formal entry into India's booming telecommunications sector.
Back in 2021, Starlink had attempted an early entry into the Indian market by accepting pre-orders. However, lacking the necessary license at the time, the Indian government halted operations, instructing the company to refund customers and suspend new bookings.
With the GMPCS license now in place, Starlink is finally positioned to roll out services across the country.
"This marks the official entry of Elon Musk into the Indian communications market."
Currently operational in over 125 countries, Starlink uses a constellation of satellites to beam internet from space. This technology is especially useful in regions where traditional broadband infrastructure is limited or impractical.
"This kind of service is very helpful in places where regular internet lines, like fiber cables, are hard to set up."
From rural villages and hilly terrains to remote forests and disaster-prone areas, satellite internet ensures connectivity where it's most needed.
"It brings fast internet to people living in far-off locations where other internet services are not available or are too expensive."
In March 2025, Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio announced collaborations with Starlink, highlighting the growing interest in expanding satellite internet services in India.
Meanwhile, competition is heating up. Amazon's Project Kuiper, led by Jeff Bezos, is still awaiting regulatory approval. Similarly, Globalstar, a partner of Apple, is preparing to enter the Indian market.
"Other companies are also interested in the Indian market. Amazon’s Kuiper, which is owned by Jeff Bezos, is still waiting for approval."
Starlink, a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX, is one of the most ambitious and rapidly expanding projects in space history. Its goal is to provide high-speed, low-latency broadband internet globally, particularly to remote and underserved areas where traditional internet infrastructure is unreliable or non-existent.
Public Announcement (January 2015): Elon Musk publicly announced the Starlink project in January 2015, revealing SpaceX's intent to develop a satellite internet service. He highlighted the significant unmet global demand for affordable broadband. A SpaceX satellite development facility was opened in Redmond, Washington, to focus on the project.
FCC Filing (November 2016): SpaceX filed an application with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite system. This was a crucial step, seeking approval to launch and operate thousands of satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
Regulatory Approvals: The FCC granted initial approval for 4,425 satellites, contingent on approval by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and addressing NASA's concerns about space debris.
First Test Satellites (February 2018): SpaceX launched its first two Starlink test satellites, "Tintin A" and "Tintin B," into orbit. These served as crucial initial steps to test the technology and demonstrate the viability of a LEO constellation.
First Large Batch Launch (May 2019): SpaceX began regular deployment of operational Starlink satellites with the launch of the first 60 satellites on a Falcon 9 rocket. This marked the beginning of building the massive constellation. The sight of these satellites in a "train" in the night sky quickly captured public attention and raised initial concerns from astronomers about their brightness.
Rapid Deployment: Throughout 2019 and 2020, SpaceX maintained an aggressive launch schedule, sending dozens of satellites into orbit with nearly every Falcon 9 mission. This rapid deployment strategy was key to quickly establishing a foundational network.
Beta Service Begins (October 2020): Starlink initiated its "Better Than Nothing Beta" program in select regions, primarily in North America, offering initial services to early adopters in underserved areas. This allowed SpaceX to gather real-world performance data and feedback.
Global Expansion: Starlink quickly expanded its service availability, steadily adding more countries and territories. By February 2021, it had approximately 10,000 subscribers, growing to over 100,000 by June 2021.
Generation 2 Satellites (Gen 2): SpaceX began deploying its second-generation (Gen 2) network satellites, which are significantly larger and offer higher throughput per satellite, aiming for even faster speeds and more users. The Gen 2 authorization allowed for launching much-improved spacecraft.
Subscriber Growth Milestones:
December 2022: Reached over 1 million subscribers.
September 2023: Exceeded 2 million subscribers.
September 2024: Surpassed 4 million subscribers.
As of February 2025: Reached approximately 5 million subscribers globally. Projections for March 2025 indicate over 5.4 million global subscribers.
Direct to Cell Capability (2024-2025): In January 2024, Starlink successfully sent and received its first text messages using T-Mobile's network spectrum through its new Direct to Cell satellites. SpaceX is rapidly scaling this network, aiming to enable text service throughout 2024 and voice, data, and Internet of Things (IoT) services in 2025. This technology allows standard mobile phones to connect directly to Starlink satellites, providing connectivity in remote areas without the need for a Starlink dish.
Continued Launch Pace (2025): SpaceX continued its remarkable launch cadence. As of May 2025, over 1,000 Starlink satellites had been deployed since the start of the year (averaging over 250 satellites per month), bringing the total all-time launches to 8,636 satellites. Over 7,500 are currently operational in low-Earth orbit. As of May 30, 2025, astronomer Jonathan McDowell reported 7,578 Starlink satellites in orbit, with 7,556 working.
Deorbiting of Gen1 Satellites (2025): In early 2025, there was a noticeable increase in Starlink satellite re-entries, with over 120 deorbiting in January 2025 alone. This is attributed to the mass retirement of first-generation (Gen1) Starlink satellites, making way for newer models and part of SpaceX's plan to refresh the constellation every five years. These satellites are designed to fully demise upon re-entry.
Starshield: SpaceX also developed a military version of Starlink called Starshield, and is building a constellation of military communication satellites for the U.S. government.
Concerns from Astronomers: The sheer number of Starlink satellites has raised concerns among astronomers globally regarding their impact on ground-based astronomy due to reflected sunlight (creating bright streaks) and potential interference with radio astronomy. SpaceX has implemented measures like darkening satellites ("DarkSat" and "VisorSat") to mitigate these effects.
Space Debris and Collision Avoidance: The large constellation also raises concerns about space debris and potential collisions. Starlink satellites are equipped with autonomous collision avoidance systems and active deorbiting capabilities to minimize these risks. SpaceX reports that Starlink satellites have had to swerve to avoid other satellites and debris tens of thousands of times.
Regulatory Hurdles in Countries: While Starlink is available in over 100 countries and territories, regulatory approvals can be complex and time-consuming.
India Status (June 2025): As of June 6, 2025, Elon Musk's Starlink has received a crucial Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) licence from India's Department of Telecommunications (DoT). This marks a significant milestone, bringing it closer to launching commercial operations in India, making it the third company after Eutelsat's OneWeb and Reliance Jio to receive such authorization. Spectrum allocation and further procedural steps, including setting up gateways and a Network Operations Centre, are still required before services can fully commence.
Starlink represents a paradigm shift in internet connectivity, pushing the boundaries of satellite technology and challenging traditional internet service models. While facing ongoing technical and regulatory challenges, its rapid deployment and expanding user base underscore its growing importance in connecting the world.
Starlink’s official entry into the Indian market with the GMPCS license marks a transformative moment in India’s digital journey. As Elon Musk’s satellite internet company gears up to provide connectivity across the country, it opens up new possibilities for rural and remote regions that have long struggled with access to reliable internet.
With existing operations in over 125 nations, Starlink’s cutting-edge technology promises to revolutionize last-mile internet delivery in India, particularly in challenging terrains where fiber optics can’t reach. The collaboration with Indian telecom giants like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel underscores the strategic importance of this development.
As other global players like Amazon’s Kuiper and Apple-linked Globalstar wait for regulatory clearance, the satellite internet space in India is poised for dynamic growth. Starlink's launch not only diversifies India’s telecom infrastructure but also aligns with the government's Digital India vision—ushering in a future where fast, accessible internet becomes a nationwide standard.