BENGALURU, India: A major regulatory breakthrough in India could mark a turning point for Starlink, Elon Musk's satellite internet venture, unlocking billions in potential and setting the stage for broader expansion across emerging markets.

Analysts say that if Starlink wins approval to operate in India—something it has been waiting on since 2022—it will not only tap into a satellite broadband market with a US$25 billion upside but also build crucial momentum for growth in other developing regions.

Starlink securing the contract serves as both a strategic PR victory and a demonstration that it has successfully navigated challenges that seemed insurmountable for most other operators. From Starlink's perspective, India is not only a credibility boost but also a crucial test of its economic feasibility in emerging markets," said independent satcom specialist Davis Mathew Kuriakose.

The regulatory holdup had placed Starlink at odds with Indian telecom giants Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel over how spectrum should be distributed—via auction or administrative allocation. India settled on the latter in October, opening the door for new entrants.

This month, Starlink signed separate agreements with both Jio and Airtel to bring its services to India, signaling a possible end to the impasse.

Goldman Sachs projects that global LEO broadband prices will fall sharply—from $148 per month in 2023 to around $16 by 2035—and estimates the satellite internet market will grow from $15 billion to $108 billion. Quilty Space expects Starlink to add 3 million subscribers globally in 2025, with one-third coming from Asia.

"India will be the biggest contributor to Starlink's Asia subscriber growth once authorized," said Caleb Henry, Quilty's research director.

With basic broadband plans in India starting around $12 a month, experts say Starlink could offer slightly higher prices—around $15—to attract users in rural or underserved areas.

"There is always going to be a subset of the market willing to pay a premium for convenience. India is an aspirational market, and the brand value of having a Starlink connection is also an added edge," said Vivek Prasad of Analysys Mason.

A final license decision is still pending. But if granted, industry leaders say Starlink will gain a first-mover advantage in a country with an estimated 700 million potential users.

"Starlink gets a seat at the table to influence how that market develops," said one executive.