Starlink Nears Approval for Satellite Broadband Services in India

Elon Musk’s Starlink is on the verge of securing a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) licence to operate in India. The company’s officials recently met Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to discuss investment plans and regulatory approvals.

Starlink has been attempting to enter India’s satellite communication sector since 2021, but regulatory hurdles have delayed its launch. While competitors like OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications have already obtained licences, Starlink and Amazon’s Project Kuiper are still awaiting approval.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is conducting due diligence before granting Starlink the necessary permissions. In 2021, the company had to refund pre-order payments collected from Indian customers due to licensing issues.

If approved, Starlink’s satellite broadband services could significantly enhance connectivity in rural and remote areas, complementing existing telecom infrastructure.