SpaceX’s Starlink is making significant progress towards launching its satellite internet services in India. The venture, led by Elon Musk, has commenced vital security evaluations—an important step in obtaining government approval to transmit data across Indian skies. If regulatory requirements are met on time, Starlink could provide high-speed internet to Indian homes as soon as 2026. A notable publication reports that Starlink has sought access to 600 gigabits per second of bandwidth over India using its Gen 1 satellite constellation. This bandwidth has been temporarily assigned for security compliance demonstrations, which are among the last steps before commercial operations can begin.
A report from Bloomberg suggests that once the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) finalizes pricing frameworks for satellite broadband—anticipated by the end of this year—Starlink may quickly advance towards commercial activation. Thus, the countdown to India’s first Starlink launch has officially commenced. India’s satellite broadband market is quickly evolving, fueled by the government’s decision to allow private companies into the space sector. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi promoting the domestic space economy, numerous players are competing to serve areas where mobile and fiber networks are unreliable, particularly in remote and rural locales. Starlink is facing stiff competition from Reliance Jio’s Space Fibre and Eutelsat’s OneWeb, but Musk’s company seems determined to lead in this sector.
Sources indicate that SpaceX plans to set up at least ten satellite gateways across India, significantly outnumbering its closest competitors. Mumbai is emerging as the hub of Starlink’s operations in India. SpaceX has completed the construction of three ground stations in the city, which are described by insiders as the firm’s “local command hub.” Government officials are expected to conduct inspections on-site in the coming weeks, and reports suggest that infrastructure development is progressing rapidly. Once final approvals are received, Starlink could start transmitting satellite broadband signals across India within just a few months. Unlike many competitors that focus on business and government clients, Starlink’s approach is aimed at retail consumers.
The company intends to bridge India’s digital divide by connecting households in rural and semi-urban regions where reliable internet access is a challenge. A source familiar with SpaceX’s plans stated, “Starlink’s constellation of low-orbit satellites could revolutionize connectivity for millions.” Insiders also note that Musk’s global reputation and the Starlink brand could attract urban, tech-savvy customers willing to pay for premium, high-speed broadband. If this initiative succeeds, it could secure SpaceX a vital position in one of the world’s fastest-growing internet markets—compensating for its absence in China, where foreign telecom operators are barred. Starlink’s advancements come on the heels of Tesla’s recent entry into India, where the electric vehicle manufacturer opened its first showrooms earlier this year.
Musk’s meeting with Prime Minister Modi highlighted his commitment to expanding both his automotive and space businesses in the country. Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has recently reiterated India’s aim to provide a mixture of “terrestrial, fiber, and satellite” connectivity—an indication of welcome for global providers like SpaceX. If regulatory processes proceed as planned, Starlink’s India launch in early 2026 could usher in a new era of digital inclusion, connecting even the most isolated regions of the nation to the global internet grid.
