Starlink applies for approval to operate direct-to-device satellite network in India

Starlink has applied to Indian regulators for approval to operate a satellite network with direct-to-device technology, a move that would let ordinary mobile phones connect to orbiting satellites without any special hardware. The application marks SpaceX’s latest push into one of the world’s largest telecom markets.

India’s regulatory body for space activities, IN-SPACe, has already rejected a previous application from Starlink for its second-generation (Gen 2) satellites, citing unmet requirements and the absence of a regulatory framework for D2D connectivity.

A license in hand, but not the right one

Starlink isn’t exactly starting from zero in India. The company secured a five-year IN-SPACe license for basic satellite services in 2025, valid through July 2030. Its Gen 1 constellation has already received approval for conventional satellite broadband in the country.

The problem is that India doesn’t yet have the rules to govern this kind of service. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) are still developing policies around spectrum usage, pricing, and operational norms for D2D connectivity. Until those frameworks exist, Starlink’s advanced ambitions remain parked at the regulatory curb.

Why Indian telecom giants are watching closely

India’s established telecom operators have raised competitive concerns about satellite-based D2D services. Companies like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have spent billions building out terrestrial networks across India’s sprawling geography. A service that bypasses cell towers entirely could undercut that investment.

Spectrum allocation sits at the heart of the tension. Terrestrial telecom operators typically acquire spectrum through expensive auctions. Satellite operators have historically received spectrum through administrative allocation, a process that doesn’t involve the same price tags. Indian telecom companies have argued this creates an uneven playing field, and regulators appear to be taking those concerns seriously as they draft new rules.

The global timeline adds pressure

Starlink’s Gen 2 satellites, which would power the D2D service, are slated for global launch beginning in mid-2027. The US Federal Communications Commission has granted partial approvals for testing, putting Starlink on a trajectory to roll out the technology in markets where regulatory groundwork has been laid.

India risks falling behind that timeline. If DoT and TRAI don’t finalize their D2D frameworks before Starlink’s global rollout begins, the country could watch neighboring markets gain access to next-generation satellite connectivity while its own regulatory machinery is still grinding through consultations and comment periods.

For Starlink, the strategy appears to be persistence. Filing a fresh application signals that SpaceX isn’t retreating from the Indian market. The five-year basic license provides a foothold, and the Gen 1 broadband approval keeps the company operationally present while it waits for the D2D rules to materialize.

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