Elon Musk’s Starlink has reapplied for approval to offer satellite internet services in India. The company is seeking clearance for its newer Gen 2 satellite network. The move comes as Starlink works through the rules needed to start its services in the country. It still needs to meet requirements related to spectrum, security, and other approvals.
The vice-president of Starlink Business Operations, Lauren Dreyer, mentioned, “Starlink remains in active and productive discussions with the Government of India contrary to misleading stories based upon unsubstantiated claims from anonymous sources.”
Starlink is also looking at Direct-to-Device (D2D) internet. The service could let supported phones connect to satellites when regular mobile networks are out of reach. This could be useful in villages, remote areas, and places where mobile towers are hard to build.
Starlink’s Gen 2 network is built to support more satellites and more users than the company’s earlier setup. A larger network could also improve coverage and handle more data. For India, this could make satellite internet useful in more parts of the country.
The service could be especially helpful in areas where regular broadband is still difficult to access. It may also give users another option when mobile networks are weak or unavailable. The new application does not mean Starlink is ready to launch everywhere in India. The company still has to meet the country’s licensing and security rules.
Starlink has already made progress on getting approvals in India. The latest application could take the company one step closer to a commercial launch. If it gets the required clearances, the Gen 2 network could bring stronger satellite coverage. D2D could take things further by bringing satellite connectivity directly to everyday devices.