• Starlink obtained approval from India’s space regulator to commence operations.
• This move marks Starlink as the third satellite provider approved in India.
• The company is now required to secure spectrum and build infrastructure before launch.
• Starlink's operations will involve hardware costs significantly higher than existing broadband options.
• Launch could occur within three months, with pre-orders expected soon.

Starlink has received final approval from India’s space regulator, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), to launch its commercial internet services in the country. This approval clears the last major regulatory hurdle the company faced after having awaited permissions since 2022. Previously, Starlink secured a key license from India's telecom ministry, paving the way for this recent approval, according to Reuters, India Times, and Dawn.

This regulatory green light positions Starlink as the third operator to gain entry into the Indian market, following approvals granted to Eutelsat's OneWeb and the Jio-SES joint venture. The company now faces the tasks of obtaining spectrum from the government, establishing ground infrastructure, and fulfilling testing requirements to ensure compliance with security regulations, as noted by sources from India Times, India Times, and Dawn.

Starlink's initial hardware offerings in India are expected to have higher costs in comparison to existing broadband solutions, which could hinder widespread adoption. The satellite internet hardware kits for Starlink range significantly in price, with estimates suggesting a cost of around Rs 33,000 (approximately $400) for the Starlink kit, while monthly subscriptions may fall between Rs 3,000 and Rs 4,200, as detailed by India Times and India Times.

With a potential rollout expected within the next three months and pre-orders likely to open soon, Starlink aims to establish its presence in the Indian telecommunications market effectively. However, further regulations and operational challenges remain ahead, according to Reuters and Dawn.