Billionaire Elon Musk’s Starlink has received a license from India’s Department of Telecommunications to offer satellite internet services, India’s leading news agency PTI reported on Friday, June 6.
However, the SpaceX-owned venture still awaits a critical clearance from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (In-SPACe) before it can begin trial operations. According to India Today , the national space regulator’s nod is required before spectrum can be provisionally allocated and infrastructure rollout can begin.
With this development, Starlink becomes the third company—after Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications—to obtain a satellite internet license in India. Amazon’s Kuiper project remains in the queue, still awaiting regulatory approvals.
Starlink had applied for the license back in 2022, but the process was delayed reportedly due to national security concerns and regulatory scrutiny. It was only in May this year that the company received a Letter of Intent from India’s telecom ministry, signaling progress toward final approval.
Earlier in March, SpaceX signed agreements with Indian telecom giants Airtel and Jio to explore satellite internet solutions for enterprise users. On March 11, Bharti Airtel, India’s second-largest telecom operator, announced a strategic partnership with SpaceX to connect remote schools, healthcare centers, and communities. The next day, Jio Platforms —India’s largest telecom firm—also confirmed a similar collaboration.
Starlink is currently available in more than 100 countries , offering satellite broadband through user terminals—dish antennas that connect to a constellation of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Unlike traditional Direct-to-Home (DTH) services, which offer one-way broadcasts, Starlink provides two-way, high-speed data transfer.
The service is typically offered in two tiers: Residential Lite for lower-usage households, and Residential Standard for higher bandwidth users.
In Bhutan , where Starlink launched in February 2025, the Lite plan is priced at approximately Rs 4,800 per month, while the Standard plan costs around Rs 6,720. In Bangladesh , which welcomed Starlink in May, plans are priced similarly.
Thogh Pakistan granted Starlink temporary permission to operate on March 22, 2025, it is still awaiting a full commercial liscence, according to local media reports . Affordability and regulatory concerns have further delayed its launch.
As Starlink accelerates its South Asian expansion, interest in its potential entry into Nepal has intensified. Its representatives have met with Nepali officials and service providers on several occasions.
However, the company has yet to formally apply for a license from the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA). According to sources, regulatory barriers remain a major stumbling block.
Nepal’s telecommunications regulations require internet service providers to register locally, obtain licenses, meet technical and financial conditions, and pay service fees. Foreign companies are also mandated to partner with a local entity holding at least a 20% stake.
However, Starlink is reportedly seeking an alternate route. Government insiders say the company wants to enter Nepal as a trading entity rather than a traditional ISP, requesting only permission to import and operate satellite communication devices—arguing this approach would sidestep the need for foreign investment approval.
While satellite internet could play a pivotal role in narrowing Nepal’s digital divide—especially in rural and mountainous regions—experts caution that unresolved regulatory, economic, and geopolitical issues could delay Starlink’s entry.
As neighboring countries embrace the technology, the question remains: will Nepal clear a path for Starlink, or risk falling behind in the region’s digital race?
The headline has been updated for clarity.
