Elon Musk’s satellite internet company, Starlink, is set to enter the Indian market through a strategic partnership with Bharti Airtel, the country’s second-largest telecom operator. According to Airtel’s stock exchange filings on Tuesday, the agreement will allow Starlink to leverage Airtel’s extensive retail network to market its equipment and services across India.
However, the deal remains contingent on regulatory approvals, with Starlink required to obtain the necessary government authorizations before commencing operations. “This is the first agreement to be signed in India, which is subject to SpaceX receiving its own authorizations to sell Starlink in India,” the filing stated.
India’s internet user base was estimated at 954.40 million as of March 2024, according to government data. In October 2024, the Indian government announced a shift in policy, deciding to allocate spectrum for satellite broadband through administrative means rather than auctions. The move came despite opposition from telecom tycoon Mukesh Ambani, who had advocated for an auction-based allocation.
In November 2024, Telecommunications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia confirmed that Starlink had been in discussions with the government to secure the necessary approvals and security clearances. “When you check all the boxes, you get the license. If [Starlink can] do that, we will be very happy,” Scindia stated at the time.
While Starlink’s potential entry into India is seen as a major step in expanding satellite broadband services, concerns have been raised by Indian law enforcement agencies over its unauthorized use. In December 2024, police in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands seized 6,000kg of methamphetamine from a vessel originating from Myanmar. Authorities suspect that the smugglers may have used Starlink for communications.
Additionally, Starlink devices have reportedly been found in the possession of militants in Manipur, a northeastern Indian state that has been experiencing ethnic violence since May 2023. In December, during an Indian Army search operation, Starlink terminals were discovered along with weapons and ammunition in multiple districts of Manipur. Reports from The Guardian suggested that local armed groups were using Starlink to maintain internet access, despite government-imposed restrictions.
Elon Musk has strongly denied allegations that Starlink was being used for illegal activities in India. In December, he stated on X (formerly Twitter), “This is false. Starlink satellite beams are turned off over India.”
Despite security concerns, the partnership with Airtel marks a crucial step toward Starlink’s expansion into one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing internet markets. If Starlink secures regulatory approvals, the service could significantly improve connectivity in remote and underserved areas across India, potentially transforming the country’s broadband landscape.
For now, all eyes are on the Indian government’s decision regarding Starlink’s licensing and security clearance, which will ultimately determine the fate of Musk’s ambitious plans for satellite broadband in India.
