PTC Web Desk: Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, Starlink, has taken a significant step toward rolling out its commercial operations in India after securing a vital license from the country's Department of Telecommunications (DoT), according to sources familiar with the development. The approval marks a major breakthrough for Starlink, which has faced regulatory delays since 2022, primarily due to concerns over national security.

With this licence in hand, Starlink is now poised to offer its high-speed satellite internet services to Indian consumers, particularly targeting underserved rural and remote regions.

The Indian government has been cautious in granting permissions to foreign satellite communication providers. While Amazon’s Project Kuiper is still awaiting regulatory clearance, Starlink has now pulled ahead in the race to bring next-generation satellite broadband to the Indian market.

Neither Starlink nor the Department of Telecommunications has officially commented on the development as of now.

In a related move earlier this year, Bharti Airtel, one of India’s top telecom operators, revealed a strategic partnership with Elon Musk's SpaceX to facilitate the entry of Starlink in India. The agreement was contingent on Starlink receiving the necessary regulatory approvals, which now appears to have been fulfilled.

This development could reshape India's broadband connectivity landscape by bringing low-latency, high-speed internet access to areas where traditional fiber infrastructure remains unviable.