3 minute read•Updated 6:18 PM EDT, Tue July 15, 2025
Article Summary: India has approved Starlink to offer satellite internet, marking a major step toward its launch in the country. However, SpaceX must still secure spectrum licenses and meet new rules requiring local data routing and integration with India’s NavIC system. While the market offers huge potential, especially in rural areas, regulatory and pricing challenges remain
India’s space regulator has granted approval for Starlink to operate in the country, marking a major milestone for SpaceX as it seeks to expand its low Earth orbit (LEO) broadband services to the world’s most populous nation.
The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) approved Starlink’s application on July 8, enabling SpaceX to proceed with offering satellite internet services through its first-generation (Gen1) constellation. The approval follows a similar nod given in May to Eutelsat’s OneWeb, Starlink’s chief LEO rival in India.
“This is one of the final regulatory milestones before commercial rollout,...several significant regulatory hurdles remain.” - Grace Khanuja, Manager at Novaspace
What’s Still Needed
While IN-SPACe’s green light is a key endorsement, Starlink must still secure spectrum licenses, comply with new satellite communication norms introduced by the Indian government in May, and integrate domestic navigation technology to begin services.
Among the more stringent requirements:
Routing all satellite traffic through India-based data centers and Points of Presence (PoPs), a policy aimed at safeguarding national security and sovereignty.
Integration with India’s indigenous NavIC system, a satellite-based positioning service developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Measures to promote local industry participation, which may require infrastructure partnerships or technology transfers.
These rules are increasing both the technical complexity and cost of entry for international satellite operators, including Starlink.
Strategic Opportunity and Challenges
Starlink’s goal in India, as in many developing markets, is to provide connectivity to rural and underserved populations. India represents one of the largest untapped broadband markets in the world, with over 1 billion people and vast geographic areas where terrestrial infrastructure remains limited. But affordability may be an issue.
“The pricing strategy would be an interesting thing to watch out for,...Especially considering the aim to connect primarily rural unconnected users and general willingness to pay in the country.” - Grace Khanuja, Manager at Novaspace
Technical Readiness
IN-SPACe’s five-year approval covers 4,408 Gen1 Starlink satellites for 5 years or till the end of the Gen1 constellation.
SpaceX currently has around 3,650 Gen1 satellites currently in orbit. SpaceX has also deployed approximately 4,300 early Gen2 satellites, including some equipped with direct-to-smartphone capabilities. SpaceX is targeting the first half of 2026 for the first Gen3 deployments from Starship.
Globally, Starlink now serves over six million users across 140+ countries and territories, with new launches in 35 markets this year alone — most recently in Qatar. If SpaceX can navigate the remaining regulatory landscape, Starlink’s entry into India would give it a critical foothold in Asia, bolstering its long-term ambitions to provide global broadband coverage, especially to regions with inadequate connectivity infrastructure.
