In response to Unstarred Question No. 690 in Lok Sabha, answered on December 3, 2025, regarding Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS), the Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development (Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar) stated that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) granted a Unified License (UL) to M/s Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited on June 6, 2025, which includes authorizations for GMPCS service, Commercial VSAT CUG service, and Internet Service Provider (ISP) 'A' service. This license was granted after Starlink agreed to comply with the stipulated terms and conditions, including security conditions. The licensee is expected to provide satellite-based communication services without discrimination in authorized service areas, aiming to bridge the digital divide and address connectivity issues in rural and underserved regions, and remote areas.
Key Entities Referenced
Department of Telecommunications (DoT): The department responsible for granting the Unified License (UL) to Starlink for satellite communication services.
Unified License (UL): A license granted by the DoT authorizing Starlink to provide GMPCS, VSAT CUG, and ISP services.
Starlink: Company that applied for and was granted a license to provide satellite-based communication services in India.
Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS): Satellite communication service for which Starlink has filed a license application.
Ministry of Communications: The government ministry to which the questions about Starlink's license are addressed.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 690
ANSWERED ON 3RD DECEMBER, 2025
GLOBAL MOBILE PERSONAL COMMUNICATION BY SATELLITE (GMPCS)
690. SHRI BIBHU PRASAD TARAI:
SHRI PRAVEEN PATEL:
SHRI YADUVEER WADIYAR:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Company Starlink has filed an application for a GMPCS (Global Mobile
Personal Communication by Satellite) license to operate in India and if so, the status thereof;
(b) whether the Government has granted Starlink a license to provide satellite-based internet
services in the country to enhance rural connectivity and if so, the details thereof; and
(c) whether such public-private satellite partnerships proposed to be scaled to promote equitable
access to digital services and bridge the digital divide and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) to (c) Department of Telecommunications (DoT) granted Unified License (UL) with
authorizations for Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) service,
Commercial VSAT CUG service, and Internet Service Provider (ISP) ‘A’ service to M/s Starlink
Satellite Communications Private Limited on 06.06.2025, after it agreed to comply with the
stipulated terms and conditions of the UL, including security conditions.
Satellite-based communication services can provide connectivity in rural, underserved and
unserved areas including remote and mountainous regions, which are otherwise difficult to be
covered through terrestrial media such as optical fiber, microwave, etc. Further, as per the License
conditions, the licensee will provide satellite-based communication services without any
discrimination from any applicant at any place in the service area for the service(s) authorized. This
will support in bridging the digital divide, addressing the last mile connectivity issues and promoting
equitable access to digital services.
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