Elon Musk’s satellite broadband venture, Starlink, has begun security tests in India, one of the final steps before the company can start offering commercial services in the world’s most populous country, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg.
The tests are part of India’s security clearance process for both domestic and foreign telecom operators. Starlink will still require approval from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on its final pricing framework for satellite services. Sources familiar with the plans said that if the regulator completes the process by the end of this year, Starlink could begin providing Internet service to Indian households by early 2026.
India’s satellite communications sector is heating up as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government opens the space economy to private players. The government is encouraging satellite operators to bridge coverage gaps left by conventional fiber and mobile networks.
Starlink is reportedly building at least 10 satellite gateways across India, more than three times the number planned by its main rivals in the market—Reliance Jio’s Space Fiber and OneWeb, a joint venture with Eutelsat Communications. Sources said Mumbai, where SpaceX has completed three ground stations, will serve as the company’s hub in India, with on-site inspections expected soon.
Indian regulators earlier this year approved Starlink to launch satellite broadband operations and allocated specific frequency bands, marking a milestone in the US company’s years-long effort to enter a market with over 900 million Internet users. SpaceX and India’s Department of Telecommunications did not respond to requests for comment.
Unlike Jio and OneWeb, which are focusing on enterprise and government clients, Starlink aims to sell directly to retail consumers. The company sees its constellation of low-orbit satellites as a way to reach tens of millions of under-served people, particularly in rural regions with limited access to high-speed Internet.
Sources told Bloomberg that SpaceX is betting on Starlink’s brand recognition and Musk’s tech influence to attract urban consumers willing to pay a premium for faster and more reliable broadband.
A successful launch in India would mark Musk’s second major business push in the country, following Tesla’s showroom openings in July. Earlier this year, Musk met with Prime Minister Modi, signaling ongoing interest in expanding his technology ventures in the region.
In March, India’s telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia reiterated the government’s commitment to providing consumers with a mix of terrestrial, fiber, and satellite communications, signaling opportunities for global providers like Starlink.
