Starlink Builds 20 India Gateway Sites, Awaits Approvals

Starlink has built 20 gateway sites in India as it prepares to offer satellite broadband there, but the company cannot begin service until it receives spectrum allocation and security clearance, according to company statements and reports on the outstanding approvals. Lauren Dreyer, SpaceX’s vice president of Starlink business operations, described the infrastructure at India Mobile Congress 2026 in New Delhi. She said the sites contain hundreds of antennas and that the company has established operations for the Indian market after investing in ground infrastructure. Dreyer said Starlink had designed its operations for India’s security and regulatory requirements, with controls at each layer, and would keep Indian users’ data within the country. These details reflect the company’s account of its preparations; the available reporting does not establish whether regulators have independently assessed or approved the stated controls. Starlink has a Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite authorisation, but reports say spectrum allocation and security clearance remain necessary before service can start. No official timetable for completing those steps was reported.