Elon Musk Reapplies To Get Starlink In India, Touts Rural Connectivity

NEW DELHI- Elon Musk’s Starlink has reapplied for approval to deploy ⁠its satellite constellation, including direct-to-device connectivity services according to media reports.

The Economic Times said Musk is seeking approval for a Gen 2 constellation that delivers the latest technologies, including direct-to-device. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre had rejected an earlier application by Starlink for the 30,000-satellite internet constellation a few years ago due to non-conformity of certain features and spectrum bands.

Musk now seems to want to the Indian market. He drew attention on August 21 by posting that Starlink could help the ‘least served’ areas of India, particularly rural regions, as the satellite internet service awaits commercial rollout in the country.

Musk made the remarks on X, which he also owns, responding to a post highlighting India’s continuing digital connectivity gap. “Starlink would help the least served in India, especially in rural areas,” Musk said.

The post noted that 11,256 listed villages still had no 4G coverage as of May 2026 and highlighted the disparity in internet subscription density between rural and urban India.

India had 1.093 billion internet subscriptions in March 2026, of which 440.87 million were rural. Rural internet subscription density stood at 48.31 per 100 people, compared with 126.80 in urban areas.

The post also said BharatNet had laid more than 850,000 route-km of fiber and made around 221,000 Gram Panchayats service-ready. However, only 80,472 Gram Panchayat Points of Presence were reported operational as of June 2026.

It said satellite connectivity could help bridge gaps in remote villages, mountainous regions, islands and disaster-affected areas, where conventional telecom infrastructure faces challenges related to terrain, commercial viability and infrastructure constraints.

The post also called for the completion of regulatory clearances, spectrum allocation and approval for Starlink’s commercial launch in India. (IANS)