• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Starlink India: In a major boost to India’s satellite internet ambitions, Elon Musk’s Starlink has officially secured government approval to offer services in the country. Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia confirmed on Thursday that the Department of Telecommunications has granted Starlink a Unified Licence, clearing the way for it to roll out satellite-based internet access.

The announcement came on the eve of the 30th anniversary of India’s first mobile phone call, adding symbolic weight to what could be a transformative shift in how the country connects its most remote regions.

ALSO READ: Battlefield 6 Launch Date Out: What’s New In Gameplay, Beta Access, And How Much Will It Cost?

Scindia also revealed that the necessary frameworks—such as spectrum allocation policies and gateway installation guidelines—are now ready, setting the stage for a smooth commercial rollout. Starlink will enter a competitive field that already includes Eutelsat OneWeb, backed by the Bharti Group, and Jio SES, both of which are still awaiting spectrum clearance to kick off services.

As India celebrates three decades of mobile connectivity, the minister took the opportunity to reflect on how far the country’s telecom sector has come. Internet subscriptions, he said, have surged by nearly 286% over the past decade, now reaching close to 970 million users. Broadband usage has soared from 60 million to 944 million connections—an increase of more than 1,450%. At the same time, the cost of mobile data has plummeted by over 96%, now averaging just ₹8.9 per GB.

Scindia also pointed to an unlikely comeback story: state-owned BSNL, which has returned to profitability after nearly 20 years. The company posted profits of ₹262 crore and ₹280 crore in the past two financial years, driven in part by the rollout of more than 83,000 4G sites—many built using indigenous technology.

India’s 5G deployment continues to make waves too. The network now covers 99.6% of all districts, supported by around 4.74 lakh 5G towers and a growing base of over 300 million users. Average monthly per-user data consumption stands at a staggering 32 GB, positioning India as a global leader in 5G data usage.

Looking ahead, Scindia noted that India is already among the top six countries when it comes to filing patents related to 6G technology. The government has launched 100 6G Use Case Labs to explore the next wave of innovation.

The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme is also bearing fruit. Investments in domestic telecom manufacturing have reached ₹4,305 crore, resulting in sales of over ₹85,000 crore and the creation of more than 28,000 jobs. Foreign direct investment in the sector has seen a nearly threefold increase—from $282 million to $710 million.

Industry leaders, reflecting on the 30-year journey of mobile services in India, echoed the minister’s optimism. COAI Director General SP Kochhar highlighted that India now hosts more than 1.2 billion telecom subscribers, with per capita data consumption exceeding 21 GB per month. From humble beginnings with 2G, the country now offers 5G access to almost every district.

ALSO READ: Samsung Galaxy S25 FE Tipped To Debut In September With AMOLED Display And Exynos Chip

HFCL’s Mahendra Nahata praised India’s rapid 5G rollout and said the country is well-placed to influence global 6G standards. Meanwhile, Paritosh Prajapati of GX Group underscored the sector’s shift toward self-reliance, crediting government policies like the PLI scheme for encouraging homegrown innovation.

Starlink’s licensing also aligns with India’s larger goal of closing the digital divide. As the country works to extend high-speed internet to underserved rural and remote regions, satellite technology may prove key to achieving inclusive, nationwide connectivity.

(With Agency Inputs)