Elon Musk's Starlink gets approval to roll out satellite internet services in India: Report

Elon Musk's Starlink has received approval from the Indian government to operate its satellite internet services. The Department of Telecom (DoT) has granted Starlink the Letter of Intent (LoI).

Elon Musk’s Starlink has reportedly received the approval from the Indian government to operate its satellite internet services in India. According to Moneycontrol report, the Department of Telecom (DoT) has granted Starlink the Letter of Intent (LoI). The corporation has not yet received the "final license," which will be granted if "all licence conditions" are met, according to the report.

“Yes, Starlink has been issued LoI by the Dot for GMPCS, VSAT and ISP licences in India,” a government official reportedly told Moneycontrol. “The final licence will be given once Starlink is able to fulfil all licence conditions," the source reportedly added.

According to reports, Indian government officials acted swiftly to authorize Starlink's entry into the Indian market because they believe it may pave the way for more extensive trade negotiations with the US. An Indian official told The Washington Post, "The Indian side sees this as an important lubricant that facilitates a deal, even though it's not likely to be an explicit element of the trade negotiations with the US." 

The launch of SpaceX's services in India may be worth billions of dollars. According to reports, obtaining only 1% of India's consumer broadband market could generate about $1 billion annually for SpaceX.

Earlier this year, Jio and Airtel both inked agreements with SpaceX's Starlink to offer its services to Indian consumers in a similar endeavor. This agreement, which was made public in March 2025, was contingent on SpaceX obtaining the necessary authorizations to sell Starlink in the nation. which it has now.

Jio and Airtel's agreement with Starlink

When Jio announced its agreement with Starlink, it stated that it will provide Starlink services through its shops and online platforms as soon as SpaceX launches its services in India. Additionally, Airtel stated that it may provide Starlink's services to companies and sell Starlink equipment in its stores.

SpaceX's satellite internet project, Starlink, is to use a massive network of low-Earth orbit satellites to deliver high-speed internet. In contrast to conventional cable-based internet services, Starlink is made to provide dependable and quick internet connectivity in isolated and challenging-to-reach locations. In order to get around many of the problems that traditional broadband services experience, the service connects customers to a constellation of satellites that transport data to and from Earth.

Satellite-based internet from Starlink seems like a potential option for locations where setting up traditional broadband infrastructure is difficult, particularly in isolated or difficult-to-reach places. The service is now operational in a number of nations and is working to increase its worldwide reach and performance by growing its constellation of satellites. Earlier last week, SpaceX launched Starlink services in Brazil.