Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, Starlink, has taken a significant step forward in India. On June 6, 2025, Reuters reported that India’s Department of Telecommunications has granted Starlink a critical Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) licence — making it the third provider, after OneWeb (Eutelsat) and Reliance Jio’s satellite venture, to receive approval for commercial satellite services in the country .

🌐 Why This Licence Matters

1. Overcoming a Long Wait

Starlink first applied in 2022, but national security concerns and complex spectrum issues delayed the process. This new GMPCS licence marks a decisive regulatory breakthrough .

2. Next Steps on the Path to Launch

Before it actually goes live, Starlink must:

Obtain additional clearance from India’s space regulator,

Secure spectrum allocation,

Build ground infrastructure, and

Undergo comprehensive security assessments.

These steps are expected to take several more months .

3. Strategic Partnerships

In March, Starlink struck retail partnerships with Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio, positioning it for equipment distribution across India — though activation hinges on regulatory approvals .

📈 The Competition and Market Outlook

Amazon’s Project Kuiper is still awaiting its GMPCS licence.

India’s telecom regulator has proposed a 4% annual revenue fee for satellite operators, which has stirred debate — domestic players say it’s too low .

With satellite spectrum awarded administratively (not auctioned), the sector in India is projected to swell to a $1.9 billion market by 2030, attracting global competition .

🏔️ The Impact: Bridging India’s Digital Divide

India has huge swathes of rural and remote terrain where traditional broadband is hard to deliver. Starlink’s LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellite network—with 6,750+ satellites—promises high-speed, low-latency internet reach to areas often overlooked by ground-based ISPs .

However, one major challenge remains: pricing. India is known for having among the world’s lowest mobile data rates, meaning Starlink’s service must balance cost with quality to gain traction .

✅ Final Thoughts

Milestone achieved: Starlink’s GMPCS licence brings it within reach of wider rollout in India.

Still to go: Final regulatory approvals, spectrum, infrastructure build-out, and security vetting.

Market implications: Expected boost in affordable rural broadband; heightens competition with Jio, Airtel, OneWeb, and incoming players like Kuiper.

Watch factors: Pricing strategy, regulatory developments, and launch timeline.

Stay tuned—the impending rollout could significantly reshape internet access across India.