New Delhi: Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture Starlink is set to receive its long-awaited licence to operate in India by mid-June, with the government outlining a series of financial, legal, and national security-related conditions for its entry, according to sources.
As per details shared with NDTV Profit, Starlink must pay a non-refundable fee of ₹1.6 crore and furnish performance and financial bank guarantees exceeding ₹1.2 crore. These steps are part of a Letter of Intent (LoI) issued by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in early May.
Starlink’s Global Licensing Head, Parnil Urdhwareshe, is currently in Delhi to meet top DoT officials as the company inches closer to acquiring a Unified Licence for GMPCS, VSAT, and ISP-A services, which will allow it to provide satellite internet across India.
Strict Conditions with Legal Backing
A senior government official described the LoI as a “full-spectrum legal shield”, granting the government authority to act against Starlink if any regulatory or security concerns emerge, even in the future.
The LoI includes strong accountability clauses, including provisions that allow the revocation of Starlink’s licence if any misleading disclosures are discovered. The guarantees can also be invoked to recover funds directly from the bank in case of non-compliance.
2G Spectrum Scam Clause
In a rare move, the government has included a clause requiring Starlink to clear dues not only for itself but also for any affiliated entity linked to telecom operators whose licences were cancelled under the Supreme Court’s 2012 2G spectrum verdict. The court had scrapped 122 licences issued in 2008, alleging a ₹30,984 crore loss to the exchequer.
Rollout Plans
If Starlink accepts the LoI’s terms within 21 working days, it plans to launch operations within 6–7 months, including the establishment of 27+ ground gateways across three key locations. These Earth stations will be critical to connecting satellites to the internet backbone.
The company aims to deliver 600–700 Gbps bandwidth in the initial rollout phase, significantly enhancing internet access, especially in remote regions.
Government Support
Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia reaffirmed India’s openness to global players in the satellite communication (SATCOM) space.
“As long as they comply with our regulations, all players, including Starlink, are welcome in India,” Scindia told NDTV Profit.