Starlink applies for approval to operate direct-to-device satellite network in India

Starlink has applied to Indian regulators for approval to operate a satellite network with direct-to-device technology, a move that would let ordinary mobile phones connect to orbiting satellites without any special hardware. The application marks SpaceX’s latest push into one of the world’s largest telecom markets. India’s regulatory body for space activities, IN-SPACe, has already rejected a previous application from Starlink for its second-generation (Gen 2) satellites, citing unmet requirements and the absence of a regulatory framework for D2D connectivity. A license in hand, but not the right one Starlink isn’t exactly starting from zero in India. The company secured a five-year IN-SPACe license for basic satellite services in 2025, valid through July 2030. Its Gen 1 constellation has already received approval for conventional satellite broadband in the country. The problem is that India doesn’t yet have the rules to govern this kind of service. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) are still developing policies around spectrum usage, pricing, and operational norms for D2D connectivity. Until those frameworks exist, Sta...