Elon Musk has backed Starlink’s satellite internet service for India, saying it could help bridge connectivity gaps for some of the country’s “least served” communities, particularly in rural areas.Taking to X, the tech mogul said, “Starlink would help the least served in India, especially in rural areas.” Musk made the remark while resharing a post by DogeDesigner, which said more than 11,000 of India’s listed villages had no access to 4G as of May.The post cited data claiming that the country had 1.093 billion internet subscriptions as of March 2026, including 440.87 million in rural areas. Rural internet density stood at 48.31 subscriptions per 100 people, compared with 126.80 in urban areas.It also highlighted the progress made under BharatNet, saying more than 850,000 route-km of fibre had been laid and around 221,000 Gram Panchayats had been made service-ready. However, Points of Presence were operational in only 80,472 Gram Panchayats as of June 2026.According to the post, Starlink could help bridge connectivity gaps arising from difficult terrain, low commercial viability and infrastructure constraints. Its satellite network could reach remote villages, mountainous regions, islands and disaster-hit areas, while direct-to-device connectivity could help keep mobile phones connected beyond the reach of conventional towers.“The Indian government should complete the remaining clearances, allocate spectrum and clear Starlink for commercial launch ASAP. India has already waited far too long,” the post stated.Meanwhile, Musk’s internet firm, Starlink, is seeking to launch its satellite broadband services in India as the government is working on the regulatory framework for allocating spectrum for satellite services.Separately, Starlink business operations vice president Lauren Dreyer said the company remains in active discussions with the Centre over the launch of its commercial satellite internet services.Her comments came after media reports claimed that India had frozen the approval process over geopolitical and security concerns, including concerns reportedly linked to the use of Starlink terminals during the Iran conflict.The report said security agencies had raised objections over concerns about controlling a United States-based operator during periods of geopolitical tension.Dreyer rejected the claims, saying, “Starlink remains in active and productive discussions with the Government of India contrary to misleading stories based upon unsubstantiated claims from anonymous sources.”
