Top News

Business Desk – Elon Musk Starlink India: Elon Musk's company Starlink is preparing to provide internet to those rural and remote areas of India, where mobile connectivity remains a major problem even today. Musk re-shared a post on social media platform

A day before this, Starlink had again applied for license in India. In such a situation, the company's attempt to start satellite internet service in India is again in the news.

No 4G network in more than 11 thousand villages

According to DogeDesigner's post, by May 2026, more than 11 thousand listed villages in India did not have access to 4G network. This situation is at a time when the number of internet users in the country is continuously increasing. As of March 2026, there were a total of 109.3 crore internet subscriptions in India. Of these, the number of internet subscribers in rural areas was 44.08 crore.

That is, Internet use is increasing in villages, but network availability is still not the same in all areas. Connectivity remains a major challenge, especially in remote and geographically difficult areas.

Big difference in internet connection between city and village

There is also a big difference between rural and urban internet density in India. There are only 48.31 internet connections per 100 people in rural areas. Whereas in urban areas this figure is 126.80 connections per 100 people.

Satellite internet can become an option to reduce this gap. Especially in those places where it is difficult to deliver optical fiber through mobile towers or land.

8.5 lakh route-kilometre fiber under BharatNet

Work is also going on under the government's BharatNet scheme to increase internet connectivity in rural India. So far, more than 8.5 lakh route-kilometres of fiber has been laid across the country. Through this, about 2,21,000 gram panchayats have been made service-ready.

However, by June 2026, Points of Presence i.e. PoP were operational only in 80,472 Gram Panchayats. That means, along with preparing the network, converting it into a real service is still a big challenge.

Starlink will provide such internet to remote areas

Instead of installing mobile towers everywhere on the ground, Starlink's technology provides internet signals through low-earth orbit i.e. LEO satellites in space. This can be beneficial in hilly areas, remote villages, islands and areas where normal internet infrastructure is difficult to reach.

Starlink provides Internet connection via satellite through a dish or terminal. The company is also working on direct-to-device technology, which is working towards connecting mobile phones directly to satellite networks.

Applied again for license in India

To start services in India, Starlink will have to obtain necessary regulatory approvals. The company has re-applied for the license in India on August 20. After this, its process of starting satellite broadband service in India has again come into discussion.

The government is working on the necessary regulatory framework for satellite spectrum allocation and service. For the company, the remaining approvals and spectrum allocation will be important steps towards commercial launch.

Starlink denies reports of approval being stuck

Recently some reports claimed that the approval process of Starlink has been stuck in India due to security and geopolitical concerns. Concerns of security agencies were also mentioned in the reports.

However, Starlink Vice President of Business Operations Lauren Dreyer rejected these claims. He said that misleading news should not be ignored and the company is continuously having positive and productive talks with the Government of India.

Amidst the lack of 4G network in more than 11 thousand villages in India and the huge difference in rural-urban internet density, Starlink's entry can become a new connectivity option for remote areas.