New Delhi:  Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, Starlink, has reportedly received the final regulatory clearance to begin operations in India. 

According to a report by Reuters, the Indian government has granted the necessary approvals following months of internal discussions and assessments.

Starlink, a division of SpaceX, had been waiting for the green light from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to offer its satellite-based internet services in India.

The company will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary, Starlink Satellite Communications Ltd, and will be required to follow local norms on licensing and satellite spectrum usage.

The development marks a significant step forward in India’s efforts to enhance digital connectivity, particularly in remote and underserved regions where traditional internet infrastructure remains limited. 

Once operational, Starlink’s constellation of low-earth orbit satellites is expected to provide high-speed internet access across the country.

The report also mentions that Starlink will need to secure approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs before it can fully roll out services. 

This is a standard step to ensure national security compliance for foreign internet and telecom operators.

Starlink had previously faced hurdles in India, including a government advisory in 2021 that barred it from accepting pre-orders without a valid license. 

The company later paused its India operations and began working to meet the regulatory requirements.

With this final nod, Starlink joins a growing list of global and domestic players aiming to offer satellite internet in India, including Bharti-backed OneWeb and Amazon’s Project Kuiper. 

The move is expected to intensify competition and push forward the Indian government’s goals under the Digital India mission.