Elon Musk's Starlink is set to enter the Indian market following the government's decision to allocate satellite spectrum administratively, a move that aligns with global practices.

This decision comes after Musk criticized the auction approach proposed by Mukesh Ambani of Reliance Jio, which many believe could hinder affordable service offerings.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has extended the deadline for comments on its discussion paper regarding satellite spectrum allocation without auctions.

Starlink argues that satellite spectrum should be treated as a shared resource and opposes auctioning these frequencies, a stance that contrasts with local telecom giants advocating for auctions.

Both Starlink and Amazon Kuiper are pushing for lower spectrum prices in India, warning that high costs could limit their ability to serve rural and underserved areas.

Currently, only OneWeb and Jio-SES have the necessary approvals to provide satellite communication services in India, while Starlink and Kuiper await regulatory clearance.

Starlink faces a complex regulatory landscape in India, requiring further approvals from various government bodies to operate effectively.

The deployment of Starlink's low-earth orbit satellites promises to deliver high-speed broadband services to rural areas, potentially bridging the digital divide.

India's internet market is projected to grow significantly, reaching $1.9 billion by 2030, which highlights the potential for satellite services to tap into this expanding market.

This recent policy shift marks a significant victory for Starlink, which has been targeting the Indian market since 2021 but faced regulatory challenges that previously forced it to refund pre-orders.

Analysts caution that Starlink's control over orbital and spectrum resources could limit access for other entities, complicating the global satellite communications landscape.

Concerns have been raised regarding the security implications of Starlink's ties to the US military, especially in light of India's sensitivity towards foreign telecommunications involvement.