India is preparing to open its skies to Elon Musk’s Starlink, marking a major milestone in the country’s satellite internet expansion. On June 5, Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia confirmed that Starlink is set to become the third licensed satellite internet provider in India, joining Reliance Jio and Bharti’s OneWeb.
“The third license will be issued in the coming days,” Scindia announced. “Once allocated, spectrum will pave the way for satellite telecom services to operate at scale nationwide.”
A New Era for Indian Telecom
Describing Starlink’s arrival as “a new flower in the telecom bouquet,” Scindia highlighted India’s evolving connectivity landscape—from landlines and mobile networks to broadband, optical fibre, and now satellite communication.
🇮🇳 INDIA'S TELECOM MINISTER:
— Brian Basson (@BassonBrain) June 5, 2025
“@Starlink’s satellite connectivity is like a new flower in the telecom bouquet”
— Jyotiraditya Scindia, explaining the progress of the telecom ecosystem in the country. https://t.co/yiMwlxqWyz
He stressed that satellite internet will play a pivotal role in bridging the digital divide, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas where laying terrestrial infrastructure is often impractical. “Satellite communication is the only viable solution to extend internet access to remote corners of the country,” he added.
Telcos Raise Concerns Over Spectrum Policy
Despite the excitement, the move has raised concerns among traditional telecom players. Through the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), major telcos including Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have objected to the proposed spectrum pricing framework.
In a letter to the telecom ministry dated May 29, COAI argued against allocating satellite spectrum on a revenue-sharing basis—suggested at 4% of annual revenue—without an auction. They claim such a model would grant satellite operators a pricing advantage while telcos must pay high auction fees for similar spectrum rights.
Diverging Global and Domestic Views
Starlink, however, supports the revenue-sharing approach, citing global norms where satellite spectrum is often treated as a shared public good rather than a commodity auctioned to the highest bidder. Industry watchers suggest this model could lower entry barriers and encourage innovation, especially in underserved regions.
What Lies Ahead
As Starlink awaits its official license, the spotlight now turns to how India will balance innovation with fair competition. The rollout of high-speed satellite internet has the potential to transform connectivity in India—but only if regulatory frameworks ensure a level playing field for both satellite and terrestrial service providers.
