MUMBAI : The sessions, to be conducted before law enforcement agencies, will mark a key step toward securing approvals for the company’s commercial satellite broadband operations in the country.

According to sources familiar with the matter, the demonstration runs will assess Starlink’s compliance with India’s security and technical requirements for satellite broadband services under the Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) authorisation framework. These trials will be conducted using the provisional spectrum allotted to Starlink.

The demos are part of the final approval process required for the company to commence commercial operations in India. With over 10 satellite operators now entering the Indian market, all permitted to hold up to 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI).

Starlink, the world’s largest satellite communications operator, currently operates a constellation of 7,578 satellites. India has already granted approvals to Starlink, Reliance Jio-SES JV, and Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb to provide satellite internet services. The sector has gained further traction with the introduction of direct-to-cell communications, enabling mobile phones to receive signals directly from satellites.

Officials noted that this development comes at a crucial time, as several remote and rural regions in India still face limited internet access. Satellite internet is expected to complement existing terrestrial networks and bridge the connectivity gap by leveraging satellites in Geostationary (GSO) and Non-Geostationary Orbits (NGSO).

Earlier in August, the government clarified that all data, traffic, and user information gathered by Starlink in India will be stored domestically, ensuring that no user data is mirrored to servers abroad.