Elon Musk’s Starlink is finally all set to step into India, the second-biggest internet market in the world after China. After more than three years of delays and regulatory setbacks, Starlink has now received the much-awaited official approval from the Indian government, clearing its path to launch high-speed satellite internet across the country.

A senior government official has confirmed that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has officially granted initial approval to Starlink, allowing the company to begin its compliance process in India. This marks a significant shift in the country’s approach toward satellite-based internet services from global operators.

What Comes Next for Starlink?

Now that the initial approval is in place, Starlink must submit documentation to show it meets India’s licensing rules. Just this week, New Delhi released its formal guidelines (PDF) under the Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) framework. These new rules apply to Starlink, Amazon’s Kuiper, and other satellite internet firms, and include strict security standards.

As per these rules, the Indian government will have the authority to censor content and intercept traffic just like with local network providers. Additionally, user terminals must be blocked “from outside the geo-fenced coverage area and/or through gateway situated outside India”. Apart from telecom clearance, SpaceX will also need approval from India’s space regulator, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), before it can officially start services.

Timeline for Rollout

According to people close to the matter, Starlink’s rollout in India is expected to happen in the next six to nine months. This opens a whole new chapter for internet access in India, a country with 1.4+ billion people but only about 950 million internet subscribers. That means over 400 million people are still offline, a huge untapped market for any internet provider.

The Road So Far, And What Changed

This isn’t the first time SpaceX tried entering India. Back in 2022, the company started accepting pre orders without the required licenses. As a result, Indian authorities reprimanded them, and Starlink had to refund all preorders after being warned for “booking/rendering the satellite internet service” illegally. But now, the climate is different.

A wave of diplomacy and business ties has turned things around. Starlink is benefitting from Elon Musk’s growing relations with Indian and American leaders, including Donald Trump. Reports suggest Starlink is also used as a tool of leverage in global trade discussions.

High-Level Meetings and Strategic Moves

Just last month, Indian commerce minister Piyush Goyal held a meeting with Starlink executives, including India head Parnil Urdhwareshe, in New Delhi. This came two months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Elon Musk in the U.S. Musk has also confirmed he plans to visit India this year, likely to monitor the progress of both Tesla and Starlink India plans.

But It Won’t Be Easy, The Competition Is Real

Even with official clearance, Starlink won’t be alone in this race. India’s satellite internet space is heating up with serious players:

  • OneWeb (partnered with Airtel) already has IN-SPACe approval.
  • Jio SpaceFiber, a joint venture of Reliance Jio and SES, has approvals from both DoT and IN-SPACe.
  • Amazon’s Kuiper is also preparing to enter and is in the process of getting necessary approvals.

To make things even more complex, the Indian government hasn’t yet finalized how spectrum will be allocated for satellite services. A new telecom bill passed in late 2023 introduces spectrum allocation through a specific fee, but the exact process and charges are still to be announced.

What’s Next?

With approvals now rolling in and Musk’s interest stronger than ever, Starlink is gearing up to enter one of the most promising digital markets on Earth. The big question is no longer “if”, but “when”. And when it does it could transform how millions of Indians connect to the world.