Elon Musk’s satellite internet project, Starlink has been approved to officially offer its services in India. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authority Center (In-Space), which oversees private sector participation in India’s space sector, has given a green signal for Starlink’s satellite broadband operation. With this approval, Starlink is now close to a step to bring satellite-based high-speed internet connectivity for homes and businesses across the country.

The approval given on 8 July allows Starlink to operate its Jane 1 satellite constellation in Indian territory. This permission will be valid till July 7, 2030. In addition to providing operational approval, the in-space has also allocated specific frequency bands that Starlinks can use beam internet for land users in India with their satellites. The company has been authorized to use a mixture of KA and KU band frequencies for both uplink and downlink transmission, which are necessary to maintain reliable satellite internet connectivity.

Although this is a major success for Starlink entry into India, the commercial launch will not be overnight. The company will still need to acquire spectrum from the Department of Telecommunications (DOT), installing ground infrastructure such as gateways and completing the necessary safety and compliance procedures. Sources familiar to the case show that if all go according to the plan, Starlink may start offering their services in India by the end of 2025 or in early 2026.

Starlink, which is part of Musk’s Space Exploration Firm SpaceX, is to provide internet services through a network of low-earth class satellites. This method is particularly beneficial for users in remote and rural areas, where traditional fiber or mobile networks are either unreliable or unavailable. The system works by distributing internet signals directly from satellites up to a small dish installed in place of the user, also provides decent speed in areas that are not covered by existing broadband infrastructure.

Globally, Starlink is already operational in more than 100 countries and has so far deployed more than 6,000 satellites. The company plans to expand 42,000 satellites in the coming years. In India, Starlink is expected to offer speed between 25 Mbps and 220 Mbps based on satellite coverage. It will also launch about 600 to 700 GBPS data capacity, which can support thousands of users across the country.

For pricing, the entire cost of Starlink Hardware in India has not yet been officially revealed. However, based on global trends, standard kit-which includes a satellite dish, stand, Wi-Fi router and cable-cost around Rs 33,000. The monthly membership schemes are expected to be between Rs 3,000 and Rs 4,200 with unlimited data use. These schemes are targeted in individual homes, especially in areas where regular broadband is not a viable option. In the US, the same hardware costs \ $ 349, and more compact starlink mini costs \ $ 599. Will the mini version be introduced in India, is still uncertain.

Starlink’s entry into India can prove to be a game-changer, especially for poor internet infrastructure areas. It also indicates growing support from Indian regulators for private satellite communication services. While some more approval and setups are still pending, the groundwork is now placed, and Starlink is strongly on track to start operations in India.