Starlink’s India Launch Is Stuck in a Fight Over Market Access.
India’s satellite-internet market is still waiting on regulatory clearances, despite licenses held by three competing operators: Starlink, Reliance Jio’s satellite arm and Eutelsat OneWeb. Reuters reported that India’s communications ministry rejected claims of discriminatory treatment and said security checks and spectrum allocation remain outstanding. TechCrunch reported that Starlink says it has built more than 20 gateway sites in preparation. Separately, The Economic Times reported a proposed satellite spectrum fee of 5% of adjusted gross revenue, with a one-percentage-point reduction for service in designated hard-to-reach areas. The consequential issue is not the public exchange between technology executives: it is when rural customers will receive a viable additional broadband option, at what price, and under which security obligations. None of the operators has announced a confirmed commercial start date under the remaining approval process.