Starlink gets approval to launch trial satellite broadband services in India

Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture Starlink has secured provisional spectrum clearance from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to begin trial satellite broadband services in India, marking a significant step toward its commercial rollout, according to sources aware of the development.With the trial spectrum in place, Starlink is preparing to build ground infrastructure and carry out security compliance tests. The company plans to establish base stations at 10 sites across the country, with Mumbai designated as the central hub,according to information.Starlink has also applied for an import license to bring in critical equipment, including landing station hardware, for its ground station. According to sources, the company has engaged Equinix to build the gateway facility in Mumbai.
Starlink recently became the latest operator to receive a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) license after completing all security requirements under its Letter of Intent. The rules mandate that satellite communications traffic originating in India must be routed through domestic earth station gateways, with operators prohibited from copying or decrypting Indian traffic outside the country.By accepting these conditions, Starlink is now gearing up for a phased rollout beginning with underserved regions. Commercial services are expected to launch by December 2025, pending final spectrum allocation. The company has also tied up with UIDAI to enable Aadhaar-based verification of its customers.
Starlink, which operates in more than 125 countries, has previously faced setbacks in India. In 2021, it was directed to refund pre-orders collected without prior approvals.
The government is yet to finalize spectrum pricing and allocation terms. The Digital Communications Commission (DCC) will send its recommendations to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), which will determine final allocation,according to information.Spectrum pricing has become a contentious issue.
In May, TRAI proposed that satellite providers such as Starlink, Eutelsat, OneWeb, and Jio Satellite pay 4% of adjusted gross revenue (AGR) as usage charges. However, private telecom operators have opposed the proposal. A final decision is awaited, Minister of State for Communications Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani said on August 25.Meanwhile, in June, the DoT granted Eutelsat OneWeb and the Jio-SES joint venture Orbit Connect India a six-month extension, until November, to continue using provisional spectrum. Both companies hold GMPCS licenses but must comply with the government’s revised security guidelines, introduced in May 2025, before they can move to commercial launch.

(Business Correspondent)