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Tesla CEO Elon Musk-led Starlink is set to conduct demonstration runs in Mumbai on October 30 and 31 to showcase compliance with India’s stringent security and technical norms for satellite broadband services. According to officials familiar with the developments, the demonstrations will be held before Indian law enforcement and telecom authorities as part of the final steps toward the company’s commercial rollout in the country. Key step before commercial launch The two-day demonstration will use the provisional spectrum assigned to Starlink and is aimed at proving that the company meets all requirements laid down under the Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) authorisation. This approval is crucial for Starlink to receive final security and operational clearances from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). Government officials said the testing will assess Starlink’s ability to comply with Indian data handling and encryption standards, signal routing protocols, and lawful interception capabilities. Once the demonstrations conclude successfully, the company is expected to move closer to beginning commercial satellite broadband operations across India. Starlink’s role in India’s satcom ecosystem Starlink’s entry marks a pivotal moment for India’s rapidly growing satellite communication sector. The company, owned by Musk’s SpaceX, operates the world’s largest satellite constellation, currently consisting of 7,578 satellites in orbit. These satellites provide high-speed internet connectivity to remote and underserved regions globally. India has already approved GMPCS licences for Starlink, Reliance Jio’s joint venture with Luxembourg-based SES, and Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb. Together, these players are expected to reshape India’s digital connectivity landscape by delivering reliable broadband to rural and geographically challenging areas. With over 10 licensed satellite operators and 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) now permitted in the sector, India’s satcom industry is poised for accelerated growth. Focus on security and data sovereignty In August, the Indian government emphasised that all data, traffic, and user information collected by Starlink must be stored within India. Authorities made it clear that domestic user data cannot be mirrored or transmitted to servers located outside the country — a requirement aimed at safeguarding national security and ensuring data sovereignty. During the demonstration runs in Mumbai, Starlink will be required to show adherence to these conditions, including local traffic routing and network monitoring mechanisms accessible to Indian agencies. Expanding satellite internet reach Satellite-based broadband is seen as a critical solution to India’s connectivity challenges. Despite the country’s impressive telecom expansion, internet penetration remains uneven, especially in remote, hilly, and border areas where terrestrial networks are either weak or non-existent. Starlink’s technology, which provides direct-to-cell communication — allowing signals to be transmitted directly from satellites to mobile phones — is expected to complement India’s existing fibre and mobile networks. This capability could bring fast and reliable connectivity to regions beyond the reach of conventional infrastructure. The government views satellite internet as a key enabler of Digital India, enhancing education, healthcare, and financial inclusion in underserved regions. Next steps for Starlink Following the Mumbai demonstrations, Starlink will submit detailed compliance reports to the Department of Telecommunications and the Ministry of Home Affairs. If the results are satisfactory, the company may receive the necessary approvals to commence commercial services as early as early 2026. Starlink’s entry is expected to intensify competition in India’s nascent satellite broadband space, spurring innovation, lowering costs, and helping bridge the country’s rural-urban digital divide.
