Elon Musk’s Starlink Gets Govt Nod to Launch Satellite Internet in India with GMPCS License

New Delhi: Elon Musk’s Starlink has officially received a GMPCS (Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite) license from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), marking a major step in bringing satellite-based internet services to every corner of India. This approval allows Starlink to begin commercial operations across the country using its global network of low-Earth orbit satellites.

With this development, Starlink becomes the third company in India to hold a GMPCS license, joining OneWeb (backed by Eutelsat) and Reliance Jio’s satellite arm. The license grants permission to provide high-speed, space-based internet services across rural, remote, and disaster-prone regions where traditional infrastructure like fiber optics is not feasible.

Starlink had previously tried to enter the Indian market in 2021, when it began accepting pre-orders without proper authorization. The Indian government had then directed the company to refund customers and halt operations until all regulatory approvals were in place.

Now fully licensed, Starlink is expected to play a key role in India’s digital inclusion drive. The company currently operates in 125+ countries, delivering internet from its growing constellation of satellites. This technology is especially useful in villages, hilly terrains, forests, and regions with poor telecom infrastructure or during natural calamities.

Elon Musk’s entry into India’s telecom market also intensifies global competition. Amazon’s Project Kuiper, backed by Jeff Bezos, is awaiting similar clearance. Globalstar, in partnership with Apple, is also eyeing India’s satellite communication space.

New Delhi: Elon Musk’s Starlink has officially received a GMPCS (Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite) license from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), marking a major step in bringing satellite-based internet services to every corner of India. This approval allows Starlink to begin commercial operations across the country using its global network of low-Earth orbit satellites.

With this development, Starlink becomes the third company in India to hold a GMPCS license, joining OneWeb (backed by Eutelsat) and Reliance Jio’s satellite arm. The license grants permission to provide high-speed, space-based internet services across rural, remote, and disaster-prone regions where traditional infrastructure like fiber optics is not feasible.

Starlink had previously tried to enter the Indian market in 2021, when it began accepting pre-orders without proper authorization. The Indian government had then directed the company to refund customers and halt operations until all regulatory approvals were in place.

Now fully licensed, Starlink is expected to play a key role in India’s digital inclusion drive. The company currently operates in 125+ countries, delivering internet from its growing constellation of satellites. This technology is especially useful in villages, hilly terrains, forests, and regions with poor telecom infrastructure or during natural calamities.

Elon Musk’s entry into India’s telecom market also intensifies global competition. Amazon’s Project Kuiper, backed by Jeff Bezos, is awaiting similar clearance. Globalstar, in partnership with Apple, is also eyeing India’s satellite communication space.