India's Ministry of Communications has stated that its satellite communications framework applies fairly and equally to all licensed operators, including SpaceX's Starlink.
The ministry said Starlink and two other approved satellite internet providers are currently at a similar stage in the regulatory process. Each company is completing required security assessments before applying for spectrum, the radio frequencies needed to deliver satellite connectivity.
Starlink prepares for the Indian market
Starlink has spent more than five years building its path toward commercial operations in India, one of the world's largest connected markets. The service has obtained key approvals, established local operations and entered distribution partnerships with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.
The company says it has developed more than 20 gateway locations and deployed hundreds of antennas across India. Its network has also been adapted to meet national requirements covering data sovereignty, security and operational compliance.
Starlink positions its low-Earth-orbit satellite network as a complement to existing mobile and fixed-line infrastructure. The model could extend high-speed access to communities where conventional broadband networks are more difficult to build.
A growing satellite connectivity ecosystem
India has chosen to assign satellite spectrum through an administrative process rather than an auction model. This approach is designed to support the expansion of satellite-based services while maintaining a structured regulatory environment.
Alongside Starlink, Indian telecom groups are also investing in satellite connectivity. Jio is collaborating with SES, while Airtel supports Eutelsat OneWeb, underlining the growing role of space-based networks in the country's digital ecosystem.
As regulatory reviews progress, India's satellite broadband market could become an important test bed for hybrid connectivity, combining terrestrial networks with space-based infrastructure to broaden reliable digital access.
