India's telecom regulator plans to recommend that satellite broadband spectrum be allotted for around five years to assess initial market adoption, defying Elon Musk's Starlink, which is seeking a 20-year permit,

Satellite communication is key to bridging the gap between the internet available in urban areas and the internet — or its lack — in spotty locations.

By signing deals with India’s two biggest telecom players, the tech tycoon and Trump adviser has improved his odds of breaking into an enormous market.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is likely to push for satellite internet services to be initially limited to mobile dark zones — regions lacking terrestrial network coverage. This move comes as Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio establish partnerships with SpaceX’s Starlink,