Starlink Nears India Launch: DoT to Grant GMPCS License Soon

Photo Credit : Reuters

Imagine fast, reliable internet reaching India’s most remote villages, mountain hamlets, and borderlands—places where laying cables is cost‑prohibitive or topographically unfeasible. That vision is increasingly becoming a reality, thanks to Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite broadband venture under SpaceX.

In early June 2025, a significant milestone emerged: Starlink received a Letter of Intent (LoI) from India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and is nearing final approval to operate under a Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite (GMPCS) license. This positions Starlink to become the third satellite internet provider in India, following OneWeb and Reliance Jio‑SES.

This article unpacks:

What the GMPCS license entails

Steps Starlink has completed and still needs to fulfill

Challenges ahead—regulatory, technical, economic, competitive

Why this matters for India and its telecom future

Let’s dive in.

What’s a GMPCS License—and Why It Matters

GMPCS stands for Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite, an international standard governing satellite-based voice and data services. In India, this licensing framework ensures providers meet strict security, spectrum usage, and operations criteria before launching.

Obtaining a GMPCS license means:

Legal authority to provide consumer-oriented satellite internet

Compliance with security norms—like lawful interception, local data processing, ground infrastructure localization

Access to satellite spectrum allocated for mobile broadband via satellites

A 20‑year operational window (in many cases) 

So far, only Eutelsat One Web and Reliance Jio Satellite Communications have secured GMPCS licenses in India. Starlink's impending license thus marks a leap forward in its market entry.

Timeline: Starlink's Regulatory Journey

Pre‑application & Letter of Intent (LoI)

May 2025: DoT issued Starlink an LoI after reviewing its satcom application, signaling intent to grant a full GMPCS license

Security Compliance

Starlink committed to rigorous security measures:

Real-time tracking of user terminals

Lawful interception capabilities

Local data handling and geo-fencing

Establishing command & control—NOC—and ground stations within India 

By early June, sources reported Starlink had met all required security undertakings by the deadline (June 7).

GMPCS License Approval

Early June: Multiple reputable sources including Reuters, AP, Times of India, LiveMint, Moneycontrol, Outlook, Smartprix, Gadgets360, and Economic Times confirmed Starlink received the license.

What Comes Next

Starlink must now navigate several critical post-license steps:

Get approval from IN-SPACe (India’s space regulator) for satellite operations over Indian territory 

Obtain provisional spectrum allocation for live trials

Set up ground infrastructure—earth stations, gateways, network operation centers (NOCs) within India

Undergo rigorous security & performance testing ensuring compliance with interception, geo-fencing, and encryption norms 

Obtain the final green light from India’s Inter‑Ministerial Committee (IMC)

Projected Rollout Timeline

Based on sources and precedent:

Trial spectrum allocation: within 2–4 weeks post-license 

Ground infrastructure setup & testing: estimated 9 months 

Commercial launch: realistically by early 2026, possibly late 2025 in regions with trial experience 

Some industry commentators suggest segments of service could begin within 2 months post-trial spectrum assignment , though comprehensive national rollout likely follows in 2026.

India‑specific Infrastructure & Partnerships

Ground Stations & Gateways

Starlink plans 2–3 gateways in India (some reports say 2, others 3). These stations link satellites to the local network, and alongside a centrally‑located NOC, form the technical backbone.

Distribution via Jio & Airtel

In March 2025, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel agreed to retail Starlink equipment across their networks—dishes, routers, service sign-ups—leveraging massive distribution channels.

These partnerships enable quick deployment in remote districts, while providers compete on pricing strategies and service-level offerings.

Pricing & Market Positioning

Hardware Cost

Setup kit (dish, kickstand, router, power cable): ~₹33,000 (≈ US $400)

Subscription Plans

Unlimited monthly data plans expected between ₹3,000 – ₹4,200 (~US $36–50/month)

This pricing suggests a premium service, distinct from prior reports of plans as low as ₹850 (~US $10).

Competitive Landscape

India already boasts ultra‑low mobile data prices (~₹10–20/GB)

Satellite broadband appeals to niche markets: remote villages, mountainous terrain, disaster zones, maritime and border areas

Alternative satcom players: OneWeb and Jio‑SES; Amazon Kuiper awaits DOH approvals 

Regulatory & Competitive Challenges

Spectrum & Fee Model

TRAI recommends assigning satcom spectrum for 5 years, with annual fees set at 4% of adjusted gross revenue (AGR) or ₹3,500/MHz whichever higher.

COAI (WTO body for Indian telcos) argues this pricing lacks parity and gives satellite players undue advantage

Security & Sovereignty

Starlink’s agreement to implement strict security controls—local NOC, data storage, interception and terminal control—were prerequisites for license approval. These measures align with India’s broader push to ensure digital national sovereignty.

Domestic vs International Players

Starlink’s entry pressures domestic operators—Jio, Airtel, Vi—to enhance rural and remote broadband

Amazon Kuiper’s delays (still awaiting IMC meeting) contrast unfavorably with Starlink’s momentum 

Why Starlink in India Matters

Digital Inclusion & Rural Reach

India still has substantial gaps—about 40% of the 1.4 billion population lack broadband access, largely due to terrain and infrastructure lag. Satellite internet can accelerate connectivity in such areas.

National Resilience & Security

In border zones, disaster-prone areas, or for critical communications, independent satellite networks bolster sovereign and resilient connectivity.

Market Catalyst

Starlink’s presence may force terrestrial broadband to become more inclusive and competitive. Its service could spur new use cases—like rural e-education, telemedicine, voice-controlled IoT, and disaster response networks.

Strategic Alignment

Integration with India–US trade and tech diplomacy, as evidenced by Musk’s meeting with PM Modi and landmark satellite licensing decisions, signals deeper bilateral engagement 

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Future Outlook & Scenarios

Let’s consider three possible futures:

Scenario	What Happens	Implications
Speedy Launch (late 2025)	Trials in niche zones (Himalayan, Andaman), priced premium, marketed via Jio/Airtel	Strong rural impact, early revenue, sets standard for satellite models
Steady Rollout (early–mid 2026)	Larger ground infrastructure in place, regulated pricing model, marketing scaled	Competitive steady rollout, domestic telecoms respond with combos, service diversification
Delays & Pushbacks	Spectrum delays, IMC bottlenecks, COAI opposition stalls launch into 2026	Market share leaks to OneWeb/Jio‑SES, Starlink brand patience tested

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Comparative Global Context

India is the third-largest telecom market globally; satellite broadband is a nascent but high-growth vertical:

Global Potential: Satcom market projected to reach ~$1.9 billion by 2030 in India

Starlink Global: Over 6,750 satellites, millions of users in remote areas worldwide 

Competing Projects: Amazon Kuiper, OneWeb, SES/Jio, China's GuoWang—each integrating local licensing and partnerships

Concluding Thoughts

Starlink’s rapid progress—from LoI in May to full GMPCS license in early June—marks a new chapter in India’s broadband landscape.

Key takeaways:

License granted after satisfying security and procedural requirements

Next steps: IN-SPACe approval, spectrum, ground station build-out, IMC clearance

Timeline: Real-world service expected between late 2025 and early 2026

Pricing: ₹33,000 kit; ₹3–4 k/mo unlimited plans; premium positioning aimed at rural/hard-to-reach homes

Strategic impact: Boosts digital inclusion, national resilience, market competition

Ultimately, Starlink's India debut will be more than a business venture—it may redefine digital equity across India’s geographic tapestry.

From stranded villages to academic, health, and governance networks, Starlink's entry holds promise for unlocking new digital frontiers. As India stands on the cusp of its satellite broadband revolution, all eyes will be on final regulatory steps and the first Indian rooftop dish receiving high-speed internet from space.

Stay tuned—Starlink is about to rocket India into a new era of connectivity.