Starlink faces India approval freeze amid security concerns
Indian security agencies withhold clearances, stalling Starlink's commercial launch in India ahead of SpaceX IPO.
SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service is facing a fresh hurdle in India, with Indian security agencies reportedly withholding the final clearances needed for the company to begin operations in the country.
According to a Bloomberg report cited in the source article, the freeze comes as New Delhi weighs whether it could effectively control a U.S.-based operator during periods of geopolitical tension. The report said those concerns have also delayed a pricing proposal for satellite spectrum, a step needed before commercial services can launch.
Security concerns slow rollout
The source article said Indian officials have become more cautious about satellite internet services following the war in Iran. It also said the concerns were heightened by the use of Starlink terminals in Iran despite SpaceX not having a license to operate there.
A separate Bloomberg report cited in the source article said Iranian authorities seized 139 Starlink devices and arrested 46 people involved in selling Starlink terminals.
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Existing license, but no final launch clearance
Starlink had already received a Unified License (UL) with authorization for Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) Service from India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in June 2025.
The source article also said a government note in January stated that Amazon.com Inc.’s (AMZN) satellite internet service had been granted a license as well, along with a few other players.
High stakes for SpaceX
The delay in India affects a business that plays a major role in SpaceX’s finances. According to SpaceX filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Starlink generated $11.4 billion in revenue in 2025, or about 61% of SpaceX’s total revenue that year.
The source article said Goldman Sachs expects Starlink revenue to rise to $144 billion by 2030, while SpaceX’s total revenue is projected to exceed $474 billion.
Starlink currently has more than 9,600 satellites in orbit, with coverage across 164 countries and about 10.3 million subscribers.
The source article also noted that the setback comes days ahead of the company’s Nasdaq debut.
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