Elon Musk’s Starlink is making another major push into India, seeking regulatory approval for its next-generation Gen 2 satellite constellation. According to reports, the company has reapplied to IN-SPACe for permission to operate a network of nearly 30,000 Low Earth Orbit satellites, planned to operate at altitudes ranging from around 340 to 615 kilometres. The proposed Gen 2 network could be a major upgrade over Starlink’s existing system, particularly because it is expected to support Direct-to-Device (D2D) connectivity. The technology could allow ordinary smartphones to connect directly with satellites in areas where traditional mobile networks are unavailable or weak.
Starlink had earlier sought approval for both its Gen 1 and Gen 2 networks, but in July 2025, Indian authorities reportedly cleared only the Gen 1 constellation of 4,408 satellites. The company has now returned with a fresh application for Gen 2 as India considers rules for D2D services and additional satellite spectrum bands. If approved, the massive constellation could give Starlink a significant capacity and coverage advantage in India’s emerging satellite broadband market, where it is expected to compete with players including Jio, Amazon Leo and Eutelsat OneWeb.
However, regulatory and security hurdles remain. Satellite operators are still awaiting crucial spectrum allocation and security clearances before commercial services can fully take off in India. The government is also examining how D2D satellite services should be regulated, while telecom operators argue that companies offering direct mobile connectivity through satellites should face regulatory obligations similar to traditional telecom providers. For Starlink, the opportunity is enormous—but 30,000 satellites, direct-to-phone connectivity and national-security concerns make its latest India push much bigger than just another broadband launch.
