India is poised to welcome Elon Musk’s Starlink into its growing satellite internet ecosystem. Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, on June 5, confirmed that Starlink is on track to become the third satellite internet provider licensed to operate in India, alongside Reliance Jio and Bharti’s OneWeb.
“In the coming days, the third license will be issued,” Scindia announced. “Following that, spectrum will be allocated, and satellite telecom services will begin operating at full scale across the country.”
🇮🇳 INDIA: Musk’s @Starlink will be given 3rd satcom services license after Airtel and Jio – Comms Minister Scindia said on Thursday, June 5
— Brian Basson (@BassonBrain) June 5, 2025
“In the coming days, the third license will be provided,” he said, referring to Starlink.
Once licenses are given, the minister said the… https://t.co/2oGRSfU83L pic.twitter.com/w4n40w4ZCs
A New Chapter in India’s Telecom Journey
Calling Starlink’s entry “a new flower in the telecom bouquet,” Scindia highlighted how satellite connectivity represents the next stage in India’s telecom evolution—tracing the journey from fixed lines and mobile, to broadband and optical fibre, and now to satellite internet.
He emphasized that satellite communication is crucial for expanding internet access to rural and remote regions, where deploying conventional infrastructure remains a challenge. “The only way to increase internet penetration in hard-to-reach areas is through satellite communication,” he said.
Regulatory Challenges and Industry Pushback
While the government’s move marks a major step forward, it has sparked concerns among traditional telecom operators. Through the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), industry leaders Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have voiced objections to the proposed spectrum pricing mechanism.
In a letter dated May 29 to the telecom ministry, COAI warned that bypassing auctions in favour of a 4% annual revenue-sharing model could create an uneven playing field. The letter argued that while satellite operators would gain affordable access to spectrum, telcos are required to pay significant sums through auctions for similar usage rights.
Global vs Domestic Perspectives
Starlink, on its part, has been pushing for the revenue-sharing model, which it says is in line with international practices. Globally, spectrum is often treated as a shared public resource rather than a commodity to be auctioned.
What’s Next
With licensing expected soon, Starlink’s entry could accelerate the rollout of high-speed satellite internet across India. However, regulatory clarity on spectrum pricing and a balanced policy framework will be critical to ensuring fair competition between traditional telcos and new satellite entrants.
