Elon Musk’s Starlink has obtained a license to initiate satellite services in India, and a framework for spectrum allocation has been established to facilitate a seamless rollout, as stated by Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Thursday. Starlink has been awarded a Unified License to commence satellite internet services in India. The frameworks for spectrum allocation and gateway establishment are prepared, ensuring a smooth rollout,” Mr. Scindia remarked. In addition to Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb, backed by the Bharti Group, and Jio SES are also in line for spectrum allocation to launch their satellite communication services.The minister highlighted that over the past 11 years, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India’s digital transformation has been remarkable. “From remote villages to bustling cities, digital access has empowered citizens, bridged divides, and positioned India as a global leader in affordable, inclusive technology,” he added.
According to the minister, the number of telephone connections in the country has reached 1.2 billion, while internet subscriptions have increased by nearly 286 percent to 970 million. “Broadband usage has experienced explosive growth of over 1,450 percent, rising from 60 million in 2014 to 944 million today. Most significantly, the cost of mobile data has plummeted by 96.6 percent, establishing India as the global leader in affordable data at just Rs 8.9 per GB,” he stated. Mr. Scindia mentioned that the revival of BSNL has been a significant achievement. “For the first time in 18 years, BSNL has reported consecutive net profits of Rs 262 crore and Rs 280 crore in FY 2024-25. More than 83,000 4G sites have been established, with 74,000 already operational, all utilizing indigenously developed technology. Crack Teams, AI-driven monitoring, and fiber fault resolution within 12 hours have elevated service standards across the board,” the minister observed. He noted that India’s swift 5G rollout has reached 99.6 percent of districts, with 4.74 lakh 5G towers and 300 million users.India boasts the highest per capita 5G consumption globally, averaging 32 GB per month, and is home to 100 Use Case Labs. Furthermore, it ranks among the top six nations for 6G patent applications. The investments made through the Production Linked Incentive scheme have reached Rs 4,305 crore, leading to sales of Rs 85,391 crore and the creation of over 28,000 jobs. Additionally, foreign direct investment has seen a significant increase, rising from USD 282 million to USD 710 million,” the minister stated.
