Starlink seeks approval to import landing gear for India launch

By Admin

28 Aug, 2025

Elon Musk-owned satellite communications (satcom) company Starlink has taken a crucial step toward entering the Indian market. The company has approached the Indian government for permission to import its landing station equipment a key component that allows satellite signals to be routed into terrestrial internet networks. These facilities are essential for setting up the ground infrastructure required to test and eventually roll out its services across India.

Government’s Role in the Approval Process

According to officials, Starlink has reached out to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to seek clearance for the import of this equipment. “Starlink has approached the government including DoT to import equipment for its ground infrastructure for testing, after which it can do the testing, before the launch of the services for public use,” a government source confirmed.

The approval will be significant, as the government is carefully considering the implications of allowing such imports, given their role in enabling cutting-edge communication technology in India.

Competing Players in the Satcom Space

India’s satcom race is heating up, with Eutelsat OneWeb (backed by Bharti Group), Reliance Jio’s joint venture with SES, and Globalstar already securing their Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) licences. These licences are mandatory for providing satcom services in the country.

However, progress is still dependent on spectrum allocation, which is yet to be finalised by the DoT and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). Without spectrum, operators cannot commence services. While Airtel and Jio are ahead in building infrastructure, Starlink is still a few steps behind as it has not yet established ground stations in India.

The Importance of Ground Stations

Ground stations form the backbone of any satellite internet service. They consist of large phased-array antennas housed in secure facilities that connect satellites to the terrestrial internet backbone. These stations receive data from satellites and transmit it to data centres on earth, which are connected via fiber optic networks.

Each ground station ensures seamless internet connectivity by bridging the gap between space and terrestrial networks. For Starlink, obtaining government permission to import this equipment is critical before setting up such facilities. Notably, Bharti Airtel has already set up two satcom ground stations in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, gearing up for service rollout once spectrum allocation is approved.

Partnerships with Indian Telecom Giants

In a strategic move earlier this year, Airtel and Jio signed agreements with Starlink to distribute its satcom services in India. Both telecom giants plan to leverage their retail networks and online platforms to make Starlink’s solutions widely available. This collaboration is expected to not only accelerate Starlink’s entry into the Indian market but also strengthen India’s digital infrastructure.

Starlink and UIDAI Collaboration

Adding another layer to its India strategy, Starlink recently partnered with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to enable seamless Aadhaar-based customer verification. This integration is likely to simplify customer onboarding and expand accessibility, particularly in rural and remote areas where Starlink’s services could prove transformative.

What Lies Ahead

While Starlink’s India entry looks promising, its launch depends on multiple regulatory and infrastructural approvals. The company must finalise its ground station locations, secure spectrum allocation, and obtain clearance for importing equipment. With the government taking a cautious yet supportive stance, and with Airtel and Jio already preparing for rollout, India’s satcom sector is on the verge of witnessing a revolution in digital connectivity.

As competition intensifies, the coming months will determine how Starlink positions itself against early movers like OneWeb and Jio-SES. If approvals are granted soon, India could become one of the most significant markets for satellite internet, bridging the connectivity gap for millions across the country.