Starlink, owned by Elon Musk and operated by SpaceX, has officially received a license to offer satellite communication services in India, according to a report by PTI quoting government sources. This makes Starlink the third company to get the green light from the Department of Telecom (DoT) to provide such services in the country.

Government officials confirmed that the company would be given trial spectrum within 15 to 20 days of submitting their application. Just last month, the government issued a letter of intent (LoI) to Starlink, allowing the company to begin setting up operations in India.

To bring its satellite internet services to the Indian market, Starlink has signed agreements with telecom majors Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel. Together, these two companies cover over 70% of India’s telecom space.

Starlink has been trying to enter the Indian market for a while now. With these partnerships and regulatory permissions in place, its launch in India is now much closer.

Starlink provides internet using thousands of small satellites that orbit the Earth at a low altitude — around 550 km above ground. These Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites deliver high-speed internet with low delay, which is ideal for video calls, gaming, and streaming.

In comparison, traditional satellites fly much higher and often offer slower internet with higher latency (delay).

So far, SpaceX has launched around 7,000 LEO satellites globally and plans to increase the number to over 40,000. This will help bring fast internet to hard-to-reach places, including remote villages, hilly areas, war zones, and even regions hit by natural disasters.

How much will Starlink cost in India?

With licensing hurdles out of the way, attention has now turned to what Indian customers will have to pay.

According to industry reports, monthly plans may range between Rs 3,000 to Rs 7,000, depending on the plan and the user’s location. Additionally, customers will need to purchase a Starlink kit, which includes a satellite dish and a Wi-Fi router. The kit is expected to cost between Rs 20,000 and Rs 35,000.

However, The Economic Times has reported that Starlink may launch with a promotional unlimited data plan priced below $10 per month, roughly Rs 857. If true, this could make Starlink a game-changer for rural and remote internet users.

Starlink is expected to begin trial operations soon, with full services likely to roll out after final approvals and testing. The satellite internet space in India is heating up, and Starlink’s entry could bring faster, more reliable internet to places where traditional broadband hasn't reached yet.