In a major development for India’s satellite broadband market, Elon Musk’s Starlink has secured the last regulatory approval it needed to start commercial operations in the country. This long-awaited nod from India's space regulator removes the final barrier to the company’s entry into one of the world's fastest-growing connectivity markets.

A Long Road Since 2022

Starlink has been awaiting licenses to operate commercially in India since 2022. Although the company secured a critical telecom license from India’s Department of Telecommunications last month, the final—and arguably most crucial—approval from the country’s space department was pending until now. With this latest clearance, Starlink can finally bring its satellite internet services to India’s remote and underserved regions, an ambition Musk has repeatedly championed on global platforms.

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Starlink Joins the Space Internet Race

Starlink has now become the third satellite-based internet service to gain regulatory approval in India. This opens up a competitive new chapter in India’s digital connectivity story, especially for areas beyond the reach of traditional broadband networks. Both Starlink and the Indian space department have so far declined to comment on the development, keeping the finer details of the rollout timeline under wraps.