Starlink says India operations ready with 20 gateway sites, awaiting government go-ahead

Starlink has built its India operations specifically to meet the country’s security and regulatory requirements and is now awaiting the government’s go-ahead to begin services, executive Lauren Dreyer said at India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026 on Wednesday.

Dreyer, Vice President of Starlink Business Operations, said the company had built controls at every layer for India and would keep Indian user data within the country. “We’ve built our Starlink operations specifically for India in recognition of Indian security requirements and other regulations, establishing controls at every layer for India, and keeping Indian user data within India,” she said, according to The Hindu BusinessLine.

Starlink has built 20 gateway sites comprising hundreds of antennas in India, Dreyer said, and established operations “to be ready to serve India”. She added: “Starlink offers the biggest potential to help accelerate the speed to connect a 100 per cent of India, and people can get connected within minutes, not years.”

The Centre has granted satcom licences to three companies — Starlink, Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio — but spectrum and security clearance are still needed before services start. Starlink has partnered with both Airtel and Jio. Inc42 reported that IN-SPACe granted Starlink a five-year authorisation in July for its 4,408-satellite Gen1 constellation over India, and that the government mandated in August that all Indian user traffic be stored locally.