Starlink Gets Green Light From DoT To Launch Affordable Internet Across India

Starlink in India

New Delhi, June 6, 2025 – Imagine having super-fast internet even in the most remote corners of India! That dream is getting closer to reality as Starlink, a company owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has just received a special license from India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT). This license, called the Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS), allows Starlink to start planning satellite internet services across the country. It’s a big deal because Starlink is now the third company, after Eutelsat’s OneWeb and Reliance Jio’s satellite unit, to get this approval, announced on June 6, 2025.

So, what’s Starlink? It’s a company that uses thousands of small satellites orbiting Earth to provide high-speed internet. These satellites can send internet signals to places where regular Wi-Fi or mobile networks don’t work well, like villages or hilly areas. This could help students study online, families stay connected, and businesses grow in areas with poor internet.

Getting this license wasn’t easy. Starlink first applied in 2022, but the Indian government had strict rules to protect the country’s safety. For example, Starlink had to promise to keep all user data—like your name, address, or browsing history—stored inside India. They also had to build a control center in India and set up systems so the government can monitor data if needed for security. Starlink agreed to follow these rules, ensuring that internet signals passing over India stay within the country’s control.

But the job isn’t done yet! Starlink still needs approval from another group called the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe). They’ll have to pass tests to prove their systems are safe and follow India’s rules. This might take a few weeks or even months. Plus, the government is working on how to share the satellite signals (called spectrum) fairly among companies. Instead of making companies bid for it, the government will assign it directly, which has caused some debate.

Here’s how it’ll work financially: Starlink won’t have to pay a big fee upfront for the spectrum. Instead, they’ll pay 4% of the money they earn from customers, plus Rs 500 per user each year in cities. This setup makes it easier for companies to start offering satellite internet without huge costs.

Not everyone is thrilled, though. Big Indian telecom companies like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel worry that Starlink’s entry could make competition tougher. They wanted the government to auction the spectrum to keep things fair, but the government chose a different path to speed up internet access, especially in rural areas.

On social media platforms like X, people are excited! Some posts say Starlink plans to start its first phase within a year, offering super-fast internet with speeds of 600–700 Gbps. They’re aiming for 10 million users in India, with plans that might cost as little as $10 a month (about Rs 850). That’s affordable for many families!

This news is exciting for India’s goal of connecting everyone to the internet. With Starlink’s satellites, students in far-off villages could watch educational videos, farmers could check weather updates, and small businesses could sell online. It’s a step toward making India a digitally strong nation.

As Starlink works through the final steps, everyone’s curious to see how it performs. Will it really bring fast, reliable internet to every corner of India? If it does, it could change how we learn, work, and connect, making the internet a tool for everyone, everywhere.

Highlights:

Starlink gets GMPCS license from India’s DoT on June 6, 2025 to offer satellite internet.
Third satellite provider in India after OneWeb and Reliance Jio.
Will use thousands of satellites to provide high-speed internet even in remote areas.
Starlink agrees to store all user data in India and set up local control centers for security.
Still needs approval from IN-SPACe and must pass technical and security tests.
Government plans no spectrum auction, only 4% revenue share + Rs 500/user annually in cities.
Big telcos like Jio and Airtel oppose administrative allocation of spectrum.
Starlink targets 10 million users with plans starting at Rs 850/month.
Expected launch of Phase-1 services within 12 months.
Promises 600–700 Gbps bandwidth to revolutionize digital access in rural India.