New Delhi: Satellite internet firm Elon Musk’s Starlink has announced a revival of its plans to expand in India. The company is said to be putting in another application to IN-SPACe, the space regulator of India, for the approval of its next-generation Gen 2 satellite network. The new app also has support for direct to device (D2D) which will enable direct connection between a compatible mobile phone and satellite technology.
The Economic Times says Starlink is applying for authorization of almost 30,000 satellites, which would orbit the Earth at approximately 340 km – 615 km in what is known as low earth orbit (LEO). The company has a broader Gen 2 plan of some 42,000 satellites, but the new application will be for nearly 30,000.
So far, Starlink has already been plagued with issues regarding its previous generation (Gen 2) of application. IN-SPACe had previously rejected the company’s application as some of the features of the proposed network and the spectrum bands it intended to use failed to match the Indian requirements.
In July 2025, India have approved Starlink’s Gen 1 constellation. This network is made up of 4,408 low-Earth-orbit satellites and is primarily intended for conventional satellite broadband services. The Gen 2 network, however, would offer new capabilities, such as direct to device connections.
What is Direct-to-Device Technology?
The direct-to-device technology would be more useful to people in regions where the coverage of cellphones is weak or unavailable. D2D technology complements the use of a stand-alone satellite internet dish by enabling the mobile device to communicate with the satellites as long as it is compatible.
In remote villages, mountainous regions, and islands and other locations where it can be hard or costly to erect traditional telecom infrastructure, this may be relevant for India.
With the introduction of this fresh application, Starlink has also timed its arrival with the rule-making process underway for the satellite communication services in India. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) already has some recommendations in respect of the price of satellite spectrum, and talks on direct-to-device continue.
Competition in India Could Increase
However, if the approvals are received by Starlink, competition in the satellite communication market in India might intensify. Satellite connectivity is a burgeoning industry, which has Reliance Jio partnering with a proposed LEO satellite network and Amazon Leo and Eutelsat OneWeb in the mix.
The Gen 2 network would not necessarily be a green light for Starlink to launch commercial D2D services, however. The company still has to fulfil the regulatory, security and spectrum requirements in India.
Starlink’s latest endeavour is another significant milestone in its extended mission to harness cutting-edge satellite connectivity in India. The plan could eventually allow the company to expand into satellite broadband and provide, directly from space, mobile connectivity as well.
