Elon Musk asks why Starlink still lacks India licence

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The Economic Times daily newspaper is available online now. Read Today's Paper Elon Musk asks why Starlink still lacks India licence after ‘five years’ of complianceET OnlineLast Updated: Oct 10, 2026, 01:40:00 PM ISTSynopsis

Elon Musk has questioned why Starlink is yet to receive an Indian licence, saying the satellite internet company operates in more than 165 countries and has spent five years complying with India’s laws and requirements. His remarks come a day after he alleged that “oligarchs” were blocking Starlink’s entry.

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Loading...×Elon Musk on Thursday questioned why Starlink is yet to receive a licence to operate in India, saying the satellite internet company has spent five years complying with the country’s laws and government requirements.

“Starlink is licensed in over 165 countries and has spent five years complying with every single law and requirement of the government of India, so why still no license? Is Ambani the real boss of India?” Musk said in a post on X.

Also read: Musk pitches Starlink for India's no-internet, no-network areas a day after 'oligarchs' charge

— elonmusk (@elonmusk)

The remarks come a day after the SpaceX founder accused unnamed “oligarchs” of blocking Starlink’s entry into India to protect their business interests.

Unfortunately, we are being blocked by certain oligarchs in order to maintain their monopolistic chokehold on the Indian people,” Musk had said on Wednesday. “You can guess who they are … This is a crime against the people of India!”

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Starlink awaits final approvals

Starlink has secured a satellite communication permit and authorisation from India’s space regulator, but is still awaiting a security clearance from the government before it can begin commercial services.

The company is not alone in waiting for the final approvals. Bharti Group-backed Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite also have the required satcom permit and space-sector authorisation but are awaiting security clearance. The companies also need spectrum to launch commercial services, with the government expected to take a decision on spectrum pricing.

At the India Mobile Congress on Wednesday, SpaceX vice president for Starlink business operations Lauren Dreyer said the company had built 20 gateway sites and hundreds of antennas in India and had adapted its operations to meet Indian security and regulatory requirements, including keeping Indian user data within the country.

“We built our Starlink operations specifically for India in recognition of Indian security requirements and other regulations, establishing controls of every layer for India, and keeping Indian user data within India,” Dreyer said.

She said Starlink had spent five years working with Indian regulators, industry and telecom operators to prepare for its entry into the Indian market.

Also read: Elon Musk says Starlink's entry in India 'blocked' by oligarchs, alleges 'monopolistic chokehold'

Musk presses India on Starlink entry

Dreyer said Starlink’s management was in regular contact with authorities to resolve outstanding issues and that the company was ready to begin operations once approvals were completed.

“Hopefully, next time I address the Congress, the government’s good work will have been complete and Starlink will be authorised and ready and reporting on stories here,” she said. “We’re ready to work with the government, ready to work with operators, ready to work with industry to this end.”

Starlink has also signed letters of intent with the state governments of Maharashtra and Meghalaya to explore connectivity for remote communities and public institutions.

In March 2025, Starlink signed agreements with Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio covering network equipment distribution, business connectivity and rural connectivity.

Dreyer said the company was seeking to work with Indian telecom operators and state governments as it prepared for a commercial launch.
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( Originally published on Oct 08, 2026 )In Video: Angry Elon Musk, Cautious PM Modi and unhappy Rahul Gandhi in Starlink’s India hope journeyRead More News onElon MuskStarlinkIndiaSatellite internetSpaceXlicencegovernment clearanceEutelsat OneWebJio SatelliteIndian user data

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