Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, Starlink, is making significant strides toward launching operations in India by laying the groundwork for terrestrial infrastructure.
The company has begun discussions with key players across the data, telecom, and fiber sectors to build the ecosystem necessary for satellite connectivity. Among those in talks are data center operators such as Sify Technologies, STT, Equinix, and CtrlS Datacenters; internet exchange providers DE-CIX and Extreme; fiber infrastructure firm Microscan; and telecom giants Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, and Tata Communications.
These collaborations are essential for Starlink to establish the terrestrial backbone that will support its low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite network. Industry experts estimate Starlink’s initial capital expenditure in India to be approximately $60 million. The company is expected to begin issuing letters of intent soon to formalize these partnerships.
In a major regulatory milestone, Starlink has secured the necessary clearance from the Indian government, including allocation of trial bandwidth. The company has also identified 17 locations across the country to set up ground stations. These stations will serve as critical nodes, linking Starlink’s LEO satellites with India’s terrestrial fiber and data networks.
Despite the satellites’ capability to beam internet directly to user terminals, Indian regulations require that all downlink traffic be stored and routed within the country. This makes the terrestrial infrastructure not just a technical necessity but also a regulatory compliance measure.
Global contenders to Starlink include Amazon’s Project Kuiper, led by Jeff Bezos, and Globalstar, a satellite communications firm partnered with Apple. These companies have also applied for the necessary permits to operate in India, signaling a race to capture market share in one of the world’s most promising satcom frontiers.
Last updated: December 26th, 2025
