Outlook Business Desk
Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture Starlink will conduct demo runs in Mumbai on October 30 and 31 to showcase compliance with India’s security and technical requirements for satellite broadband services ahead of its market entry.
The demo runs will be observed by law enforcement agencies. Starlink aims to prove that its systems meet the standards set under Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) authorisation norms in India.
The demonstrations will use provisional spectrum assigned to Starlink for testing. This step is crucial as the company seeks full spectrum allocation from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
These demo runs mark a major step for Starlink as it moves closer to launching its satellite broadband services in India. The trials are key to securing final clearances before going live commercially across the country.
Starlink aims to set up nine gateway earth stations across major Indian cities such as Mumbai, Noida, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Lucknow to enhance its satellite broadband network and service coverage in the country.
According to the company, Starlink has sought approval for a capacity of 600 gigabits per second through its Generation 1 satellite constellation, which will help deliver high-speed internet connectivity once services roll out in India.
Starlink India market access director Parnil Urdhwareshe said the company is fully focused on being ready to offer Indians a secure, compliant, and high-quality broadband experience as it prepares for its commercial rollout.
Speaking at the India Mobile Congress 2025, Parnil Urdhwareshe, as quoted by PTI, said the Ministry of Communications, TRAI, Department of Space, InSpace, and DPIIT are jointly working to ensure a secure and compliant rollout of Starlink’s services in India.