Starlink Prepares for India Launch with Nine Gateway Stations

Elon Musk’s satellite communications company, Starlink, is gearing up for a major India rollout as it sets up nine gateway earth stations across key cities including Mumbai, Noida, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Lucknow, according to a report by The Economic Times.

This marks a significant step in Starlink’s plans to enter India’s fast-evolving satellite communications (satcom) sector, which has been gaining traction as the government opens up the space economy to private players.

Provisional Spectrum Assigned for Demonstrations

As per officials cited in the report, Starlink has applied for 600 gigabit per second capacity over India through its Gen 1 satellite constellation. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has provisionally assigned spectrum to Starlink to conduct security-compliance demonstrations before granting commercial approval.

Currently, the permission allows the company to import 100 user terminals and carry out fixed satellite service demos only.

“Tough conditions have been imposed to prevent misuse,” an official was quoted as saying, acknowledging the critical role satellite networks play in national security infrastructure.

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Strict Security Conditions for Gateway Operations

According to the report, Starlink had sought to deploy foreign technical experts to operate its gateway stations in India. However, the government has taken a firm stand on security, restricting foreign nationals from handling these stations unless they receive security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

For now, only Indian nationals are permitted to operate these gateway facilities.

This move highlights India’s heightened scrutiny of satellite communication systems, especially given the sensitive nature of border regions and the potential misuse of satcom technology.

Past Security Concerns Over Starlink Devices

Earlier this year, security agencies raised red flags regarding illegal usage of Starlink terminals in restricted and border regions. In March, the Ministry of Home Affairs directed the DoT to investigate the matter after unauthorized Starlink devices were seized in Manipur and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Authorities have since emphasized the need for data localisation, strict monitoring, and regular reporting to ensure no misuse of satellite connectivity in sensitive areas.

Data Localisation and Compliance Requirements

Under the current provisional spectrum guidelines, Starlink cannot offer any commercial services during its demonstration phase. Moreover, all data generated must be stored within India, ensuring complete data localisation.

The company must also submit fortnightly compliance reports to the DoT and security agencies, detailing geo-coordinates, terminal information, and user data.

These reports will help the government monitor Starlink’s activities and verify compliance with national security norms.

An official further mentioned that any future allocation of regular spectrum for Starlink’s commercial use will depend on the government’s final policies and pricing framework, which will be announced after the security clearance phase is completed.

India’s Satcom Sector on the Rise

With the Indian government encouraging private participation in the space and communication sector, global companies like Starlink are eyeing India as a major growth market. However, given the strategic and security sensitivities, the rollout will be closely monitored and regulated.

Starlink’s entry could mark a new era in satellite internet connectivity in India, potentially transforming communication access across remote and rural regions—once the company clears all security and regulatory hurdles.

In Summary

Starlink’s India debut is inching closer with nine planned gateway stations and strict security protocols. The company has provisional spectrum approval for demonstrations, but commercial rollout will depend on successful compliance with India’s data and security regulations.

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