• Starlink gains India’s telecom ministry approval to launch satellite internet services nationwide.
• Partnerships with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel aid Starlink’s rollout in India.
• Satellite internet to boost connectivity in India’s remote areas and during disasters.

Elon Musk’s Starlink has secured regulatory approval from India’s telecom ministry to launch its satellite internet services in the world’s most populous nation, according to an official who spoke anonymously to reporters in New Delhi. Though the announcement is not official yet, it is a great achievement for Starlink, as the company has been trying to enter India’s huge internet market. Because it cannot enter China, Starlink’s greatest chance with this breakthrough comes from its importance to the government.

The approval marks the end of Starlink’s long-term effort to operate in India, which largely depends on cell towers and fiber cables for internet access. With Starlink, areas that previously lacked great connectivity will receive it, and people in remote locations or when natural disasters take out electricity can still be reached.

India’s telecom minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia, emphasized the need for satellite internet in March, highlighting its potential to bridge connectivity gaps in underserved regions.

To facilitate its rollout, Starlink has forged strategic partnerships with India’s leading telecom operators, Reliance Jio Infocomm and Bharti Airtel, in March. These alliances will support the deployment of Starlink’s services across the country.

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Since the first Starlink satellites were launched in 2019, it has attracted more than 5 million customers from more than 100 countries, which is much more than its rival companies. The company has not yet tapped the huge market that India offers.

Besides satellite internet, Musk’s Tesla Inc. is getting ready to make its entry into India’s automotive sector, which is the third-largest in the world. The company is transporting many cars, expanding its workforce, and creating display centers to back its launch.

Starlink’s entry into India not only strengthens Musk’s global ambitions but also positions the country as a key player in the future of satellite-based connectivity, enhancing access for millions in both urban and remote regions.