Now Reading: Elon Musk says Starlink can aid India’s least served rural areas
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Elon Musk says Starlink can aid India’s least served rural areas
Elon Musk has said Starlink could make the biggest difference in India's 'least served' regions, especially rural areas, as the satellite internet company renews its push for regulatory approval. His remarks follow…
Elon Musk has said Starlink could make the biggest difference in India's 'least served' regions, especially rural areas, as the satellite internet company renews its push for regulatory approval. His remarks follow a report that Starlink has reapplied to India's space regulator, IN-SPACe, for authorisation of its Gen 2 satellite constellation.
The fresh application seeks clearance for nearly 30,000 low Earth orbit satellites and includes direct-to-device (D2D) technology, which can provide connectivity where mobile networks are unavailable. Starlink's earlier Gen 2 application was rejected because certain features and spectrum bands did not conform to Indian requirements. The company's Gen 1 constellation of 4,408 satellites was approved in July 2025 for conventional satellite broadband.
Indian Opinion Analysis
This is Starlink's second attempt at Gen 2 approval after IN-SPACe rejected the first one on technical grounds. The stakes are high: satellite broadband can connect India's 600 million rural residents who lack reliable internet, a market Jio and Airtel are also eyeing. IN-SPACe's decision will hinge on spectrum allocation rules and orbital slot usage. Watch for whether the regulator clears the 30,000-satellite plan or again objects to D2D technology and band proposals.
Source: timesnownews.com
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