DoT grants Starlink six-month provisional spectrum for compliance trials.
Commercial rollout awaits licences for gateways, PoPs, and equipment rights.
Expected speeds range from 25–220 Mbps; next-gen satellites planned for 2026.
Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, Starlink, has taken a step closer to its debut in India. The company has received a provisional spectrum allocation from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), allowing it to demonstrate compliance with technical and security standards before offering services commercially. According to officials, the allocation was granted earlier this month and will remain valid for six months or until Starlink completes its compliance demonstrations. Notably, the approval does not permit Starlink to provide commercial satellite communication (satcom) services during this phase.
SurveyReliance Jio-SES and Bharti Airtel-backed OneWeb had secured similar provisional spectrum allocations in October 2024 to test their satellite internet networks.
Notably, the DoT has set strict requirements for companies receiving provisional spectrum. Networks must remain isolated, secure, and free of vulnerabilities. Operators are also required to ensure their wireless equipment does not fall into unauthorised hands. In case of interference with existing telecom networks, they must halt operations immediately until issues are resolved.
Starlink launch timeline and availability in India
With the regulatory hurdles nearly cleared and infrastructure collabs in place, Starlink is expected to start its service in the coming months. Although Starlink still needs a few key approvals before rollout. These include licences for satcom gateways, points of presence, and spectrum rights for networking equipment. Once cleared, Starlink could begin offering its services in India, though no official launch date has been announced yet.
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Starlink speed and plans
Reports suggest Starlink may offer internet speeds ranging from 25 Mbps to 220 Mbps, depending on location and signal conditions. Pricing and plan details are yet to be disclosed; however, the one-time set-up cost of Starlink satellite internet is expected to be somewhere around Rs 30,000 in the Indian market. Apart from that, the plans for the service will most probably be available in the country at a starting price of Rs 3,300 per month. Furthermore, Starlink is also preparing to launch its next-generation satellites in 2026, which promise a capacity of up to 1,000 Gbps per satellite, potentially transforming global connectivity.
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Himani Jha
Himani Jha is a tech news writer at Digit. Passionate about smartphones and consumer technology, she has contributed to leading publications such as Times Network, Gadgets 360, and Hindustan Times Tech for the past five years. When not immersed in gadgets, she enjoys exploring the vibrant culinary scene, discovering new cafes and restaurants, and indulging in her love for fine literature and timeless music. View Full Profile
