Starlink seeks approval for Gen 2 satellites to expand in India

Starlink is expanding its efforts to enter the Indian market by applying for approval to use its second-generation (Gen 2) satellite constellation. Operating in low earth orbit at altitudes between 340 and 615 km, these satellites are intended to provide faster connectivity and direct-to-device (D2D) services.

Elon Musk has stated that Starlink could specifically benefit the ‘least served’ populations in India, particularly in rural areas where a significant digital connectivity gap exists. Data indicates that while India has over one billion internet subscriptions, rural subscription density remains significantly lower than in urban centers, with thousands of villages lacking 4G coverage.

Despite receiving approval from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) for Gen 1 satellites in 2025, Starlink has faced long-standing regulatory hurdles. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and IN-SPACe have previously raised security concerns regarding the service. The company is currently awaiting regulatory clearances and spectrum allocation to begin its commercial rollout.