Starlink Gets Satellite Internet License in India

In a major milestone for India's digital infrastructure, Elon Musk-led Starlink has received a Unified License to offer satellite-based internet services in the country.

This was announced by Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on the eve of the 30th anniversary of India’s first cellular phone call, which marked the beginning of the telecom revolution in 1995.

The license paves the way for Starlink, a global satellite internet provider under Musk’s SpaceX, to enter India’s rapidly expanding digital market. According to the minister, a comprehensive framework for spectrum allocation (radio frequencies needed to transmit satellite signals) and gateway establishment (ground stations that link satellites with internet networks) is already in place to ensure a smooth and efficient rollout of the service.

Starlink joins other global and domestic players like Bharti Group-backed Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio SES, which are also awaiting spectrum allocation to begin their own satcom (satellite communication) services in India.

Minister Scindia emphasized how India's telecom landscape has transformed dramatically over the past decade. Telephone connections now stand at 1.2 billion, while internet subscriptions have soared by 286% to reach 970 million, showcasing the country's massive digital penetration.

More impressively, broadband usage has witnessed an explosive 1,450% growth, rising from 60 million users in 2014 to a staggering 944 million today.

This digital accessibility has been further supported by the dramatic reduction in mobile data costs, which have fallen by 96.6%, making India the global leader in affordable internet at just ₹8.9 per GB.

“From remote villages to bustling cities, digital access has empowered citizens, bridged divides, and made India a global leader in affordable, inclusive technology,” said Scindia.

A key achievement cited by the minister is the revival of BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited), India’s state-run telecom operator. For the first time in 18 years, BSNL posted back-to-back net profits—₹262 crore and ₹280 crore—in FY 2024–25.

More than 83,000 4G sites have been installed (with 74,000 already operational), all built using indigenously developed technology, contributing to Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). The deployment of Crack Teams, AI-powered monitoring, and fibre fault resolution systems that restore service within 12 hours has significantly improved telecom service quality nationwide.

5G Rollout and Future-Ready India

India’s telecom advancements are not limited to 4G. The country now boasts 99.6% 5G coverage across districts, supported by 4.74 lakh 5G towers and a growing base of 300 million 5G users. In fact, India has the world’s highest per capita 5G data consumption, with users averaging 32 GB per month.

To strengthen this further, 100 5G Use Case Labs have been established to promote innovation and practical applications in sectors like agriculture, health, and education.

India is also looking ahead, ranking among the top six countries in 6G patent filings, signalling strong momentum in future technologies.

The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme has emerged as a backbone for India’s telecom manufacturing ecosystem. So far, ₹4,305 crore in investments have been made under this scheme, generating ₹85,391 crore in sales and creating over 28,000 jobs.

Additionally, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the telecom sector has nearly tripled, rising from $282 million to $710 million, reflecting rising global confidence in India's digital economy.

Echoing the government’s achievements, SP Kochhar, Director General of the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), highlighted India’s transformation into the world’s second-largest telecom market, with over 1.2 billion subscribers and some of the lowest tariff rates globally.

An average Indian mobile user now consumes more than 21 GB of data monthly, a testament to the country's robust telecom infrastructure and growing digital appetite.

“The telecom sector has been the backbone of our digital transformation... The next three decades will belong to a truly Atmanirbhar Bharat, leading global innovation from within our borders,” Kochhar added.

He further noted that while India's mobile journey began with 2G networks, today, over 85% of the population and 99% of districts have access to 5G services, showcasing the sector’s historic progress.

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