Starlink in Talks with Indian Telecom Firms for Service Rollout, Eyes Multi-Partner Strategy: Report

Starlink has initiated talks with several Indian telecom, broadband, and satcom companies—including Tata Group-backed Nelco, state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL), and Hughes Communications—to establish local partnerships as it prepares to launch satellite-based internet services in the country, ETTelecom reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

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Local Partnerships Underway

The company is pursuing a multi-partner approach, seeking non-exclusive reselling arrangements to rapidly expand its footprint. Similar to its agreements with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, these partnerships would enable Starlink to offer services through various channels without exclusivity constraints. Vodafone Idea, the country’s third-largest telco, is also reportedly in exploratory discussions with the US firm, TelecomTalk previously reported.

Also Read: Airtel Partners with SpaceX to Bring Starlink Internet to its Customers in India

Ground Infrastructure in the Pipeline

Sources indicated that Starlink aims to capitalise on its substantial satellite capacity—claimed to be 80 to 90 times greater than competitors like Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio-SES—by distributing services through a wide network of collaborators. The company plans to establish three ground gateways in Mumbai, Pune, and Indore, along with a point of presence (PoP) in Mumbai, to support operations in the Indian market, according to the report.

Also Read: Starlink Set for Faster Regulatory Approvals in India After Airtel, Jio Tie-Ups

Regulatory Approvals in Progress

While Starlink is yet to receive final regulatory approvals, it has made significant headway. It has agreed to key licensing conditions laid out by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), including setting up a local network control and monitoring center and ensuring data is not routed through countries sharing land borders with India. However, the company has yet to comply with requirements related to monitoring facilities along India’s international borders and service coverage in sensitive regions such as Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.