Starlink licensed in 165+ countries as India reviews satellite operators
Starlink joins OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications with GMPCS licences, and Indian regulators say all three are at the same stage with security assessments ongoing.
Starlink, which secured its GMPCS licence in June 2025, is now licensed in more than 165 countries, joining OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications in India’s satellite‑communications queue [1]. The company secured its Global Mobile Satellite System (GMPCS) licence in June 2025 and received IN‑SPACe authorisation the following month [1]. OneWeb obtained its GMPCS licence in August 2021 and an IN‑SPACe authorisation in November 2023, while Jio Satellite Communications was granted a GMPCS licence in March 2022 [1]. All three operators have completed security demonstrations—Starlink in early 2026, OneWeb in January 2025 and Jio on Mar. 20, 2025—and the Department of Telecommunications says the assessments are still underway [1]. The Ministry of Communications notes that the three firms are broadly at the same regulatory stage [1]. Industry voices have highlighted concerns: Sunil Bharti Mittal recalled that OneWeb applied for approval five years ago, Sohom Banerjee said the delays raise questions about regulator predictability, and Tarun Wig warned that foreign‑controlled satellite networks could pose data‑sovereignty risks [1]. The pending clearances will determine when commercial services can launch in India.
Questions and answers
What stage are the three operators at in India?
All three have received GMPCS licences and completed security demonstrations, and regulators say they are broadly at the same stage while security assessments continue.
What concerns have industry leaders raised?
Sunil Bharti Mittal noted OneWeb applied five years ago; Sohom Banerjee said delays raise questions about regulator predictability; Tarun Wig warned foreign‑controlled satellite networks could create data‑sovereignty risks.
Companies & investors in this story
Sources
- 1.Starlink, Jio & OneWeb: Untangling The Satcom Queue — Inc42, Oct 18, 2026