Starlink Internet Availability in India
Executive Summary
Starlink a satellite internet service provided by SpaceX, is not currently available in India as of June 7, 2025, due to pending regulatory approvals. Despite significant interest and progress, including a Letter of Intent (LoI) from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Starlink faces challenges related to licensing, spectrum allocation, and security concerns. This report provides a comprehensive overview of Starlink’s status in India, including its potential impact, expected pricing, technical specifications, regulatory hurdles, and competitive landscape.
Introduction
Starlink, developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, aims to provide high-speed, low-latency internet using a constellation of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. With over 7,000 satellites deployed globally and services operational in more than 100 countries, Starlink has the potential to bridge India’s digital divide, particularly in rural and remote areas where traditional broadband infrastructure is limited. India, with 895.83 million internet users as of June 2023 but 35% of its population still offline, represents a significant market opportunity.
Current Status of Starlink in India
As of June 7, 2025, Starlink has not launched commercial services in India. The service remains in the regulatory approval phase, with the following key developments:
- Letter of Intent (LoI): Starlink received a LoI from the DoT, marking a significant step toward approval. This preliminary clearance indicates that Starlink has met initial regulatory requirements, but final licensing is still pending.
- Regulatory Hurdles: Starlink’s launch has been delayed due to the need for a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite Services (GMPCS) license, compliance with security regulations, and spectrum allocation policies. In 2021, the Indian government halted Starlink’s beta services and pre-orders due to the lack of a license.
- Security Concerns: In late 2024, authorities seized Starlink equipment in regions like Manipur and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, citing illegal use by militants and smugglers. This has increased scrutiny of Starlink’s application process.
- Partnerships: Starlink has signed non-exclusive agreements with India’s telecom giants, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, to distribute equipment and support customer service, pending final approvals.
Starlink’s satellite beams are currently turned off over India, ensuring no unauthorized access, as confirmed by Elon Musk in December 2024.
Expected Launch Timeline
While earlier projections suggested a launch in 2022 or 2023, regulatory delays have pushed the timeline. Recent reports indicate that Starlink could launch within the next 12 months (by mid-2026), provided all approvals are secured. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is expected to finalize satellite communication regulations by December 2024, which could facilitate a smoother rollout.
Technical Specifications and Benefits
Starlink’s technology offers significant advantages for India’s diverse geography:
- Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellites: Operating at 550 km altitude, Starlink’s satellites provide lower latency (25–50 ms) compared to traditional geostationary satellites (600+ ms). This makes it suitable for real-time applications like video conferencing, gaming, and streaming.
- Speeds: Starlink delivers download speeds of 25–220 Mbps, with most users experiencing over 100 Mbps, and upload speeds of 5–20 Mbps. These speeds are competitive with 4G but not 5G, which offers up to 10 Gbps.
- Coverage: With over 7,000 satellites and plans for up to 42,000, Starlink can provide coverage across India, including remote areas where fiber or cellular networks are unavailable.
- Ease of Installation: The Starlink kit, including a satellite dish and Wi-Fi router, is user-friendly and requires no professional installation. The dish automatically aligns with satellites, guided by the Starlink app.
