Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink, is moving closer to launching in India, with final permission pending its compliance with local security regulations. This would bring Starlink’s network of low Earth orbit satellites to the world’s most populated country, promising internet access for even the remotest areas.
On Tuesday, Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia confirmed that India is ready to approve Starlink “as long as all security conditions are met.” Scindia emphasized that Starlink must “check all the boxes” before operations begin.
Discussions between Starlink and the Indian government have focused on security aspects, including data storage. This decision arrives days after Donald Trump’s re-election in the US, with Musk in the spotlight as a supporter and potential government ally.
Starlink gained attention when its terminals were sent to Ukraine after Russia’s 2022 invasion, aiding battlefield communications. Meanwhile, Musk has clashed with India’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, over how satellite spectrum should be allocated.
Ambani, leading India’s biggest telecom operator, Reliance Jio, advocates for spectrum auctions to ensure fair competition. Musk, however, argues for administrative allocation, calling it a longstanding practice for satellite spectrum.
Industry analysts believe that auctions would drive up costs, potentially impacting Starlink’s business model. Gareth Owen, an Associate Director at Counterpoint Technology Market Research, noted, “The satellite internet market is tough, with intense competition and limited opportunities. Every operator will act to delay or block a competitor’s entry.”
