Starlink seeks expedited approval for India launch

Elon Musk's firm aims to serve rural, underserved areas with high-speed internet connection

- Jatin Grover

Elon Musk's SpaceX-owned satellite internet services provider Starlink has urged the Indian government to expedite the approval of its licence application to begin operations in the country, people in the know said.

The company's top officials made the request in a recent meeting with the Union commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal. Besides seeking a faster nod to its application, the company discussed its plans to expand operations in the country.

"Met a delegation from Starlink, comprising of Vice President Chad Gibbs & Senior Director, Ryan Goodnight. Discussions covered Starlink's cutting-edge technology platform, their existing partnerships & future investment plans in India," Goyal said in a post on X on Wednesday.

Queries emailed to Starlink and the commerce ministry did not elicit any response till press time.