New Delhi, November 5, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The delay in the launch of Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet services in India is primarily due to pending regulatory and security approvals rather than efforts by domestic telecom companies to block its entry, according to a report by Europinion.
The report said Starlink secured a licence to operate in India in June 2025 but is yet to begin commercial services as it awaits security clearance, spectrum allocation and approvals related to foreign investment.
In October, Musk alleged that powerful business interests were obstructing Starlink’s entry into India. The government rejected the allegation, describing it as baseless and misconceived.
Europinion said both sides had presented only part of the picture. It pointed out that Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel had entered into agreements in 2025 to distribute Starlink services to customers.
The report also noted that although Indian telecom operators had supported spectrum auctions, the government eventually opted for administrative allocation, a system more aligned with Starlink’s preference.
“The price for the spectrum was approved by a government committee in September. However, the final decision is still pending. Both sides’ stories have gaps. The truth sits somewhere in the middle,” the report noted.
Security clearance remains a major hurdle not only for Starlink but also for domestic satellite internet ventures, including Jio’s satellite business and Eutelsat OneWeb.
The publication said security concerns were legitimate, pointing to the discovery of devices bearing Starlink branding during a drug seizure near the Andaman Islands and a security raid in Manipur in 2024.
However, it noted that the government had not explained the delay in completing the security checks or provided a timeline for clearance. A decision on spectrum pricing, meanwhile, was described as close.
The report also highlighted that more than 11,000 Indian villages still lacked 4G connectivity as of May 2026, arguing that streamlined regulatory approvals could help improve connectivity in such areas.
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