Starlink’s India License on Hold Amid Telecom Regulatory Scrutiny

The launch of Starlink services in India remains on hold for telecom approval because regulatory bodies evaluate privacy factors of the system yet Airtel and Jio aim to form alliances for expansion.

The satellite internet company Starlink run by Elon Musk operates without a license to serve customers in India since it needs to satisfy stringent telecom regulations and security guidelines. The Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia officially stated Starlink needs to establish local gateways and track user terminals to receive regulatory approval in India.

Different telecom bodies lead the licensing process through the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) along with IN-SPACe. A review process for Starlink continues to determine how the platform meets Indian data sovereignty requirements and internal security standards.

Telecom leaders Jio and Bharti Airtel have executed contracts with SpaceX which requires Starlink to obtain clearance from regulators. The goal of these business partnerships includes extending Starlink satellite broadband to remote areas through the usage of local communication infrastructure.

The Airtel network will add Starlink as part of its platform with Eutelsat OneWeb to reach distant areas with broadband Internet services. Airtel Chairman Sunil Mittal discussed telecom sector consolidation and satellite provider cooperation during Mobile World Congress 2025 because of the need to close network connectivity gaps.

Although the licensing decision remains unfinished industry experts predict that Starlink will improve India’s telecom infrastructure specifically in rural rural areas.