Starlink India Launch: Spectrum Update

The rollout of Starlink in India commercially will depend on the approval of the necessary regulations despite the development of the framework for spectrum allocation for satellites by the government. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had studied the pricing and condition of allocation of services provided through satellites. With this, organizations like Elon Musk’s Starlink, Reliance Jio Satellite, and Eutelsat OneWeb will be close to operating in India.

The Digital Communications Commission (DCC), which is the decision-making body of the DoT, had approved some of the recommendations proposed by TRAI in September 2026. Nonetheless, commercial operations can only commence after satisfying the remaining government and security regulations.

What Is the Latest Update on Satellite Spectrum Pricing?

In the approved structure, the satellite communication service providers will pay a spectrum usage fee that is equivalent to 5% of their Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR). Those companies operating in the designated rural and remote areas will be offered an effective rate of 4%.

The government has in principle also agreed on the allocation of satellite spectrum for five years, with two years possible extension.

TRAI had proposed an additional annual fee of ₹500 per urban subscriber for certain non-geostationary satellite services. The government turned down the proposal on account of the inability to differentiate between urban and rural subscribers. The proposed subsidy on satellite user terminals from the Digital Bharat Nidhi Fund was also not accepted.

Why Is Starlink’s India Launch Still Pending?

Even as the spectrum pricing model has been developed further, a number of regulatory obligations still exist.

Starlink has to get clearance from the government, both in terms of security and any other permits linked to foreign investments. The company has already secured the license for Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) and the permission from IN-SPACe, India’s regulator for space affairs, for its first satellite constellation.

The government has said that any satellite operator must fulfill all security and operational criteria in the country before they can start commercial operations.

Starlink has been reported to have put in place necessary infrastructure, including ground stations in India.

Starlink Will Face Competition in India

Starlink will enter a market where Reliance Jio Satellite Communications and Bharti Airtel-backed Eutelsat OneWeb are also preparing satellite broadband services.

The three companies have received GMPCS authorisations, although their commercial operations remain subject to applicable approvals. Amazon Leo is another potential entrant, with its licensing application undergoing examination.

What Could Starlink Bring to Indian Consumers?

Satellite broadband may provides enhanced connectivity in villages, mountainous areas, coastal areas and other places where the installation of traditional fibre and mobile networks is a challenge.

Yet, the exact launching schedule, subscription fees, and costs of equipment for Indian users have yet to be determined.

At present, the launch of Starlink in India hinges on the allocation of spectrum and other such processes. Recent news has shown some advancements, although the official launch has yet to be announced.