Centre grants license to Starlink to operate in India: Minister

Starlink provides high-speed internet access to remote locations using low Earth orbit satellites.

Published on: Jun 18, 2025, 10:30:25 IST

By HT News Desk

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Communications minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced on Tuesday that the central government had granted Starlink, the Elon Musk-founded internet technology company, a license to operate in India.

Jyotiraditya Scindia with SpaceX officials. (X)

"Had a productive meeting with Ms Gwynne Shotwell, President & COO of SpaceX, on India’s next frontier in connectivity. We delved into opportunities for collaboration in satellite communications to power Digital India’s soaring ambitions and empower every citizen across the country. With India’s digital revolution under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, satellite technologies are not just relevant, they’re transformative. Ms Shotwell appreciated the license granted to Starlink, calling it a great start to the journey," he wrote on X.

Starlink provides high-speed internet access to remote locations using low Earth orbit satellites. Its proposed launch has sparked fierce debate in India over issues ranging from predatory pricing to spectrum allocation.

Also read: Satellite for ₹33,000, data plan at ₹3000: Starlink's India plan

In March, two of India's biggest telecom operators – Jio and Airtel – announced partnerships with SpaceX to offer Starlink internet to their customers. The two companies dominate the Indian telecom market with a share of over 70 per cent.

Starlink is the third company after Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications to get a licence from the Department of Telecommunications to provide satellite internet services in the country. A fourth applicant, Amazon's Kuiper is still waiting for approvals.

Starlink was developed by SpaceX -- the American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation company founded in 2002 by the world's richest man, Elon Musk.

How does Starlink work?

Unlike conventional satellite services that rely on distant geostationary satellites, Starlink utilises the world's largest low Earth orbit or LEO constellation (550 km above Earth).

This constellation of LEO satellites (7,000 now but eventually set to grow to over 40,000) and its mesh delivers broadband internet capable of supporting streaming, online gaming, and video calls.

With inputs from PTI

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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