In a move that could reshape the way India connects to the internet, Elon Musk’s Starlink has officially received a licence to operate in the country. The announcement, made by Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, marks a significant milestone in India’s journey toward making high-speed internet accessible to even the most remote corners of the country.
Starlink, powered by low Earth orbit satellites, aims to bridge the digital divide—especially in rural and underserved regions where traditional networks struggle to reach. After a meeting with Starlink President and COO Gwynne Shotwell, Scindia described the conversation as “productive,” noting that Shotwell praised India’s decision to approve Starlink as “a great start to the journey.”
But Starlink isn’t entering an empty field. India’s telecom giants—Jio and Bharti Airtel—have already partnered with SpaceX to bring satellite internet services to their customers. The competition is heating up, and it’s not just about coverage. There’s an ongoing debate brewing over how satellite spectrum should be allocated, with Elon Musk and Mukesh Ambani, India’s richest man and owner of Jio, reportedly at odds on the matter.
For now, the focus is on possibilities. From education to healthcare to small businesses, this leap in connectivity could transform lives, especially for those in far-flung villages who’ve been waiting for a reliable internet connection for years.
And this might just be the beginning. While Musk’s current presence in India is mostly through his platform X (formerly Twitter), his electric car company Tesla is also preparing to enter the Indian market.
India’s digital future just got a lot more exciting—and this time, it’s reaching for the stars.
