India is poised to clear Starlink for commercial entry, with the Elon Musk-owned satellite broadband provider having met all security requirements set by law enforcement agencies (LEAs).
Government sources said that the Digital Communications Commission (DCC) is expected to meet as early as next week to take up the proposal, putting the company on the cusp of formal approval after months of regulatory scrutiny.
The clearance marks a decisive step in Starlink’s India entry timeline. Following the anticipated DCC approval, the proposal will move to the Union Cabinet for final sign-off, potentially within weeks, paving the way for the launch of satellite broadband services in one of the world’s fastest-growing digital markets.
Gathering momentum
The push has gathered momentum since senior executives from SpaceX, including President and COO Gwynne Shotwell and Vice- President (Global Business) Lauren Dreyer, met Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on April 1 to review progress on the company’s India rollout plans.
Starlink’s compliance process accelerated after it began equipment testing in Mumbai in October 2025, one of the final stages in India’s mandatory security vetting for satellite and telecom operators. With LEA clearances now secured, officials said the proposal is “ready for decision,” placing next week’s DCC meeting at the centre of the approval timeline.
Once operational, Starlink will enter a rapidly evolving satellite broadband race, competing directly with Jio SpaceFiber backed by Mukesh Ambani, and Eutelsat OneWeb supported by Sunil Bharti Mittal. The entry of Starlink is expected to intensify competition and accelerate satellite-based connectivity, particularly in rural and remote regions.
Spectrum pricing
However, one major piece remains unresolved: spectrum pricing. The Department of Telecommunications and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India remain divided over spectrum usage charges. TRAI has recommended a 4 per cent annual spectrum usage charge, while DoT has proposed a higher 5 per cent levy and rejected subsidy proposals for user terminals, signalling a more market-driven approach.
Strategic partnerships are also taking shape ahead of launch. Starlink has entered distribution agreements with Reliance Jio Platforms and Bharti Airtel, with Jio expected to integrate satellite broadband into its network and Airtel focusing on rural deployment. Meanwhile, Vodafone Idea has partnered with AST SpaceMobile to roll out competing satellite-powered mobile broadband services. The Hindu BusinessLine
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