Elon Musk’s company Starlink has got the final regulatory approval to start satellite internet service in India. News agency Reuters gave this information quoting sources. Starlink is the third company to get a license to operate satellite internet service in India. Earlier, OneWeb and Reliance Jio got approval. Let’s understand this matter through questions and answers Question 1: What is Starlink and why is it special? Answer: Starlink is a project of SpaceX, which provides high-speed internet through satellites. Its satellites revolve close to the earth, making the internet run fast and smooth. This is especially beneficial for areas where normal internet does not reach – like villages or mountains. Question 2: Why did it take so long for Starlink to get the license? Answer: Starlink was trying to enter India since 2022, but was delayed due to security concerns. The Indian government had laid down conditions like data security and call interception. Starlink accepted these conditions and got the license from the Telecom Department after receiving the Letter of Intent in May 2025. Now it has also got the final regulatory approval i.e., approval of Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe). Question 3: Now what else will Starlink have to do to start the service? Answer: After getting the license, Starlink will now have to get spectrum from the government. Ground infrastructure will have to be prepared in India. This includes building a satellite earth station, communication gateway and a control and monitoring center. After this, the company will have to do testing and trials of the service for security clearance. Security agencies will closely examine Starlink’s service. Commercial service cannot start without security clearance. Question 4: When will Starlink’s service start in India? Answer: The exact date has not been told yet, but according to sources, the service can start in a few months after security testing and infrastructure is ready. Question 5: How fast will Starlink’s service be and what will be its cost? Answer: Starlink claims to offer download speeds ranging from 50 Mbps to 250 Mbps, which is enough for tasks like streaming, video calls and gaming. The standard kit of Starlink in India is expected to cost around Rs 33,000. It includes satellite antenna, mounting stand, Wi-Fi router and cables. However, the price of monthly subscription plans is not clear yet. Question 6: Who are the partners for Starlink in India? Answer: India’s two largest telecom companies Jio and Airtel announced a partnership with Starlink in March. Both these companies will sell Starlink equipment in their retail stores. This partnership will further strengthen Starlink’s role in India. Question 7: What will be the benefit of Starlink’s service in India? Answer: Starlink’s satellite-based internet service can be a game-changer especially in rural and remote areas where there is no internet access. It will support the mission of Digital India and increase digital connectivity in sectors like education, healthcare. Starlink has more than 6,750 satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), which provide low latency and high-speed internet. The company plans to increase the number of its satellites to 42,000 by 2027. Question 8: In how many countries is Starlink’s service currently available? Answer: Starlink is providing its service in more than 100 countries. In Asia, it is present in countries like Mongolia, Japan, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Jordan, Yemen and Azerbaijan. Recently, Starlink service has also started in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Satellite network provides high-speed internet coverage In June 2020, the government established IN-SPACe The Department of Space established IN-SPACe in June 2020. It acts as a single-window agency to regulate and facilitate private sector participation in space activities. IN-SPACe also promotes licensing, infrastructure sharing and space based services for non-governmental entities.
