NEW DELHI, 31 JULY 

Elon Musk’s Starlink has received a licence to launch satellite internet services in India, with a framework for spectrum allocation in place for smooth deployment, announced Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. The move coincides with India’s 30th anniversary of its first cellular call in 1995. 

Scindia stated, “Starlink has been granted a Unified License to launch satellite internet services in India. Frameworks for spectrum allocation and gateway establishment are ready, ensuring smooth rollout.” Other companies like Eutelsat, OneWeb and Jio SES are also awaiting spectrum allocation.

The minister highlighted India’s digital progress, with telephone connections reaching 1.2 billion, internet subscriptions increasing by 286 per cent to 970 million, and broadband growth soaring over 1,450 per cent. Mobile data costs have plummeted 96.6 per cent to Rs 8.9 per GB. He praised BSNL’s revival, reporting back-to-back profits and extensive 4G deployment. India’s 5G covers 99.6 per cent of districts, with 300 million users, leading in 6G patents and investment. COAI Director General SP Kochhar called India’s telecom growth “phenomenal.”