Starlink’s India entry still in orbit as D2D approval pending

New Delhi: Elon Musk-led satellite communications giant ‘Starlink’ will need to seek fresh regulatory approval in India if it plans to offer advanced services such as direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity, as per the reports.

The service would allow satellites to connect directly with smartphones, IoT devices, and trackers without relying on traditional telecom networks.

India’s space regulator, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), had earlier approved Starlink’s first-generation (Gen 1) satellite constellation, which supports conventional satellite broadband services. The Gen 1 network consists of 4,408 low-earth-orbit satellites operating at altitudes of 540–570 km and is capable of delivering high-speed internet across the country.

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However, IN-SPACe did not approve Starlink’s second-generation (Gen 2) constellation, which would have enabled more advanced offerings, including D2D connectivity. The rejection was based on technical grounds, as some of the higher frequency bands proposed under the Gen 2 system are not permitted for use in India, officials cited in the report said.

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When Starlink first applied for approvals nearly three to four years ago, D2D technology was still emerging and had limited commercial relevance. Since then, the technology has evolved rapidly, prompting satellite companies worldwide to explore direct mobile connectivity from space. An official noted that ‘IN-SPACe is now open to reviewing a fresh application for the Gen 2 constellation if Starlink chooses to resubmit it’.

At present, India does not allow D2D satellite services, as a formal regulatory framework is still under discussion.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is examining the technology and is expected to seek recommendations from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on pricing, licensing terms, and operational rules. Decisions around spectrum allocation for D2D services are also pending, with consultations underway involving telecom operators, device makers, operating system providers, and satellite firms.

The proposed service has drawn resistance from traditional telecom companies, which argue that satellite-based mobile connectivity could disrupt their business. Telcos have urged the government to ensure that satellite operators offering D2D services are subject to regulatory conditions similar to those applied to conventional telecom players.