Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Why Starlink Still Cannot Launch Commercially in India
Starlink wants to provide internet in India using satellites.
Elon Musk says powerful business interests are making it hard for the company to enter.
India’s government says its rules apply equally to all three licensed satellite providers, and all three are still undergoing security checks.
Starlink says it has built security measures and facilities in India.
It still needs more approvals before it can start selling service.
India’s space regulator also rejected one application for Starlink’s newer satellite system, so the company must apply again.
A business expert says Starlink may find it hard to compete because internet in India is already very cheap.
Officials and the article also raise concerns about satellite internet being used outside government-controlled networks.
Elon Musk accused unnamed business interests and Mukesh Ambani of obstructing Starlink’s entry into India.
Starlink has received a GMPCS licence but still needs security clearances, spectrum allocation and approval for operational infrastructure before commercial service can begin.
India’s Ministry of Communications says three satellite communications licensees face security assessments and none has reached the spectrum assignment stage.
A Starlink executive says the company has built India-specific security measures and 20 gateway sites; India’s space regulator rejected its Gen 2 constellation application over requirements concerning features and radio frequencies.
A business commentator says India’s low broadband prices and established providers could make Starlink’s high-cost model difficult to sustain, while the article also describes security concerns about satellite internet bypassing terrestrial networks.
- Who
- Starlink, owned by SpaceX; Elon Musk; and India’s government and regulators.
- What
- Starlink is pursuing approvals to provide commercial satellite internet in India but has not yet reached spectrum assignment.
- When
- The company has sought entry since 2021; the article says its GMPCS licence approval came in 2026.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- Further security clearances, spectrum allocation and other operational approvals are required; the article also identifies security concerns and the challenge of competing in India’s low-priced broadband market.
Musk and Starlink’s position
Indian government’s position
Fairness of the approval process
Musk and Starlink’s position
Musk alleged that business interests, including Mukesh Ambani, were trying to block Starlink’s entry into India.
Indian government’s position
The Ministry of Communications says the rules are fair and non-discriminatory, and that all three licensees are at broadly the same regulatory stage.
Readiness and security compliance
Musk and Starlink’s position
A Starlink executive says the company has worked with Indian regulators, built India-specific security controls and established 20 gateway sites.
Indian government’s position
The ministry says security assessments are still underway for all three licensees, and Starlink cannot proceed to spectrum assignment until required conditions are met.
- GMPCS licence
- The article says Starlink received approval in 2026 after applying in 2024.
- Licensed providers
- The Ministry of Communications says three GMPCS licences have been granted under NGSO-based satellite communications.
- Regulatory status
- Security assessments for all three licensees are underway; none has reached spectrum assignment.
- Further requirements
- Starlink still needs security clearance, spectrum allocation and approvals related to ground infrastructure and earth stations.
- Gateway sites
- A Starlink executive says the company has built 20 gateway sites in India.
- Gen 2 application
- India’s space regulator rejected Starlink’s application over features and radio frequencies that did not meet Indian requirements.
- Commercial challenge
- A business commentator says India’s low broadband prices and established providers could make Starlink’s investment-heavy model difficult to sustain.