New Delhi: In a landmark development, Elon Musk-led Starlink has received the Unified Licence to launch satellite-based internet services in India. Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia confirmed the announcement, stating that the frameworks for spectrum allocation and gateway establishment are already in place, ensuring a smooth and timely rollout.
This marks a significant step forward for India’s satellite communications (satcom) sector. Other players like Bharti Group-backed Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio SES are also expected to enter the market soon as spectrum allocation nears.
India Celebrates 30 Years of Mobile Revolution
The announcement coincided with the 30th anniversary of India’s first cellular call, made in 1995, symbolizing the country’s extraordinary telecom transformation.
Highlighting the progress, Scindia said:
“From remote villages to bustling cities, digital access has empowered citizens, bridged divides, and made India a global leader in affordable, inclusive technology.”
India’s Telecom Milestones (2014–2025)
- Telephone connections: 1.2 billion
- Internet subscribers: Grew by 286% to 970 million
- Broadband usage: Surged 1,450% from 60 million to 944 million users
- Mobile data cost: Fell by 96.6% to just ₹8.9 per GB, making India the cheapest data market in the world
BSNL Revival & 5G Success
- BSNL back in profit:
- FY 2024–25 profit: ₹262 crore & ₹280 crore
- 83,000 4G sites built, 74,000 operational
- All tech indigenously developed
- 5G Coverage:
- Covers 99.6% of districts
- Over 4.74 lakh 5G towers
- 300 million 5G users
- Highest global per capita 5G usage: 32 GB/month
- India among top 6 countries in 6G patent filings
Industry Reaction
SP Kochhar, Director General of the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), said:
“India is now the world’s second-largest telecom market with 1.2 billion subscribers. From 2G to 5G, the journey has been phenomenal.”
He emphasized India’s position as a global telecom leader with world-class infrastructure and high data consumption—over 21 GB per user per month on average.
What’s Next with Starlink?
Starlink’s satellite internet promises high-speed connectivity in rural and remote areas, bridging the last-mile gap. With gateway readiness and regulatory green light, rollouts could begin soon.
This development aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a digitally inclusive India, boosting connectivity, education, remote healthcare, and agritech across underserved regions.
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