Starlink’s regulatory approvals to gain speed with Jio and Airtel deals

A source familiar with Airtel’s plans stated that the company would ensure no conflict between its existing satcom partnership with Eutelsat and its new collaboration with Starlink

Elon Musk-led SpaceX and Starlink will likely secure faster approvals from India’s telecom department and IN-SPACe following their partnerships with Jio Platforms and Bharti Airtel, sources told Moneycontrol. They said this could also pave the way for Amazon’s Kuiper to gain similar regulatory clearances in India.

SpaceX submitted the required details for Starlink and agreed to most key conditions to obtain a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) license and authorisation approval from IN-SPACe, Moneycontrol previously reported.

Sources said it has agreed to set up a ground station and a network control and monitoring centre in India and comply with the provision of shifting or relocation of user terminals. Both the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) and the Department of Telecommunications are likely to proceed with Starlink's applications.

"The company could soon be issued a letter of intent (LoI) after DoT and IN-SPACe are satisfied with Starlink's applications," an official said.

A separate IN-SPACe committee, including officials from the Home Ministry and the Department of Space, is also reviewing its application and will soon decide on Starlink's authorisation.

Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio’s JV with SES have already secured GMPCS licenses and IN-SPACe approval.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is expected to release recommendations on satellite spectrum pricing soon, paving the way for commercial satellite broadband services from these players.

Analysts also believe Jio and Airtel agreements will lead to faster regulatory approvals for Starlink as the partnerships will help the Elon Musk-led company to ensure last-mile connectivity in India.

“With this shift in telcos’ approach, we should see easier approvals for Starlink and Kuiper in India,” TV Ramachandran, president of the Broadband India Forum (BIF).

BIF represents satellite operators like OneWeb, Kuiper and Hughes and big tech companies like Google and Meta.

“With opposition to its entry significantly reduced, and if the government is comfortable with the arrangement, I wouldn’t be surprised if higher authorities nudge departments to expedite the process,” said Mahesh Uppal, founder of ComFirst Consulting.

This shift also bodes well for Amazon’s Kuiper. “It would be counterproductive to favour one American company over another. I expect further developments in a similar direction—reflecting a different deal-making at play,” Uppal added.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is expected to announce satellite spectrum pricing soon, paving the way for commercial satellite broadband services from these players.

Analysts and industry experts told Moneycontrol that this collaboration between telcos and Starlink signals a shift from competition to cooperation in satellite broadband, benefiting all stakeholders.

“This is a win-win for all stakeholders—government, industry, Satcom, and telecom. Traditional telecom infrastructure like fiber and towers simply can't reach many remote areas. Instead of competing, these sectors should collaborate. Satcom technology is complementary and will help bridge the digital divide,” said Ramachandran.

With over 40% of India’s population still lacking data connectivity, the opportunity is vast. “By connected, we mean data connectivity, not just voice,” Ramachandran emphasized.

Neil Shah, Vice President of Research at Counterpoint Research, highlighted that collaboration is essential to unlocking India’s massive market potential. “This shift will ease Starlink's entry and give it indirect access to a billion mobile subscribers rather than competing against Indian giants,” he said. However, he noted that telcos may invest in their own LEO/GEO satellite networks to reduce reliance on Starlink over time.

Uppal viewed the partnerships as a positive step in setting aside industry disputes. “That said, I see this as a temporary truce, likely facilitated by both the U.S. and Indian governments, as their incentives align with those of many key players.”

Shiv Putcha, founder of Mandala Insights, emphasised the critical role of satellite services in bridging India’s connectivity gap, particularly in rural areas. “The global market for unconnected users is significant. Across different countries, these underserved populations represent nearly 100 million potential subscribers,” he noted.

Jio and Airtel will integrate Starlink into their existing service ecosystems, with Jio leveraging it alongside JioAirFiber and JioFiber, while Airtel will use Starlink’s enterprise solutions for business connectivity.

Both companies will distribute Starlink services through their retail and online channels, stock equipment in physical stores, and establish customer service for installation and activation.

A source familiar with Airtel’s plans stated that the company would ensure no conflict between its existing satcom partnership with Eutelsat and its new collaboration with Starlink. “Depending on the use case and feasibility, Airtel will offer services from both satellite providers,” the source added.

Disclaimer: Moneycontrol is a part of the Network18 group. Network18 is controlled by Independent Media Trust, of which Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary.