Starlink faces fresh regulatory hurdles for direct-to-device approval in India

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Starlink must seek new approval from India’s space regulator to offer its next-generation direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity services. The situation highlights a deeper legal and policy tension between emerging satellite internet technologies and national regulatory sovereignty. What happened: Starlink’s India plans hit regulatory reset over D2D services Elon Musk ’s satellite internet provider Starlink may need to seek fresh approval from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) to offer advanced direct-to-device (D2D) services in India, according to officials familiar with the matter.

Starlink had initially sought to deploy both its Gen 1 and Gen 2 low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite constellations in India. While IN-SPACe granted the company approval for its Gen 1 system enabling basic broadband satellite connectivity it rejected the Gen 2 application, which includes newer features such as D2D connectivity, on the grounds that some technical requirements were unmet and that the frequency bands proposed are not currently permitted under Indian regulations.

D2D services would allow smartphones and other devices to connect directly to Starlink satellites, bypassing traditional cell-tower-based networks an emerging capability already being trialled or deployed in markets such as the United States, Canada and Australia. India currently lacks a formal regulatory framework for D2D satellite services.

The Department of Telecommunications is reportedly considering referring the issue to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to advise on pricing, licensing terms and operational norms, while discussions continue with handset makers, operating system developers and satellite firms about suitable spectrum and governance structures.

Also Read: Elon Musk’s Starlink stands the test in Iran crackdown Also Read: Elon Musk escalates legal battle with OpenAI and Microsoft Why it’s important This episode is a clear example of the ongoing legal and policy balance between global satellite internet innovation and national regulatory sovereignty. Starlink’s requirement to seek fresh approval for its Gen 2 D2D technology underscores that emerging satellite internet capabilities especially those that intersect with mobile voice and data services cannot simply be deployed globally without local compliance.

For technology companies, satellite operators and platform providers, India’s approach signals that regulators are asserting control over how new connectivity models integrate with national networks, spectrum policy and market competition. As satellite internet evolves from traditional broadband to include direct device connectivity, governments are increasingly scrutinising technical standards, frequency use and competitive impact particularly when powerful global players like Starlink could blur the boundary between terrestrial and space-based communications.

This case will likely influence how other countries define regulatory frameworks for D2D services, shaping global norms for satellite broadband and mobile connectivity.