Musk’s Starlink reapplies in India: Could satellites connect directly to your phone?

SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service has reportedly reapplied for a license in India, a move that could significantly impact the country's connectivity landscape. This application follows a previous withdrawal by Starlink in 2022 amid regulatory hurdles. Starlink's global ambitions involve providing broadband internet access via a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites, aiming to reach underserved and remote areas where traditional ground-based infrastructure is challenging to deploy.

If granted approval, Starlink's reentry into the Indian market would present a direct competitor to existing internet providers and potentially accelerate the rollout of high-speed internet across India's vast geography. Furthermore, the company has been exploring direct-to-cell satellite capabilities, which, if implemented in India, could allow standard smartphones to connect to satellites for basic communication and data, bypassing the need for specialized terminals and further expanding internet access.