Starlink's India launch remains on hold as security reviews continue

SpaceX's Starlink has not started commercial satellite internet service in India, despite receiving key licences and approvals in 2025 and signing distribution agreements with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.

Those approvals do not allow it to begin operating automatically.

India's Ministry of Communications says security assessments for all three licensed satellite operators are under way and that they are at broadly the same regulatory stage.

After an assessment is complete, an operator can seek assignment of spectrum, which it needs to provide service.

Elon Musk has criticized the delay and accused supporters of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani of protecting a monopoly.

The government says security conditions are meant to protect users and their data, while a parliamentary committee chair has referred to security challenges without specifying them.

Starlink could connect remote villages and other areas where building phone towers or fiber networks is costly, but it would compete in a market with inexpensive mobile data and established providers.