Author: Akshay Published Date: 04 July 2025
Starlink Nears India Launch as Viasat Teams Up with BSNL: Satellite Connectivity’s Next Frontier
India’s digital landscape is poised for a space-age transformation. Starlink has cleared critical regulatory hurdles for entry, while Viasat partners with BSNL to pioneer satellite-to-device messaging – accelerating India’s quest for universal connectivity.
Breaking Developments
- Starlink: IN-SPACe issued draft approval (Letter of Intent), final license imminent after security checks and ground infrastructure setup.
- Viasat + BSNL: Launching India’s first direct-to-device (D2D) messaging service via satellites, targeting emergencies and remote areas.
- Tech Showdown: Starlink’s low-orbit (LEO) satellites for broadband vs. Viasat’s geostationary (GEO) network for wide-coverage messaging.
Starlink’s Final Frontier
- Status: Draft LoI secured from IN-SPACe – last step before full licensing.
- Progress: Spectrum compliance achieved, ground gateways under construction.
- Goal: Bring high-speed, low-latency broadband to rural India using 7,600+ LEO satellites.
- Timeline: Trials starting soon; commercial launch expected late 2025/early 2026.
Viasat & BSNL: Messaging First, Internet Later
- Phase 1: Emergency D2D messaging via compatible phones (e.g., Google Pixel) or a ₹8,000 “puck” adapter.
- Phase 2: Expand to full internet services based on demand.
- Edge: Leverages BSNL’s license for quick rollout across aviation, maritime, and defense sectors.
Regulatory Landscape
- Licensing: 5-year terms with extensions (TRAI recommends 4% revenue share for GEO operators).
- Security: Mandatory data localisation, interception capabilities, and infrastructure audits.
- Key Players: Starlink partnering with Jio/Airtel/VI; Viasat cleared its GX4 satellite in 2024.
Why This Matters: Beyond Connectivity
| Use Case | Impact |
|---|---|
| Rural Access | Connect off-grid villages |
| Disaster Response | Maintain comms during crises |
| Aviation/Maritime | Real-time operational updates |
| National Security | Backup for defense networks |
| Emergency Alerts | Lifesaving D2D messaging |
“This bridges India’s last-mile gap while boosting digital resilience,” say IT ministry experts.
Challenges Ahead
- Affordability: Balancing service pricing in a market used to cheap mobile data.
- Infrastructure: Speeding up ground gateway deployment.
- Spectrum Fees: Ongoing debates about TRAI’s 4% revenue share model.
- Integration: Coordinating with BharatNet’s fiber network for seamless coverage.
The Big Picture
- Digital Sovereignty: Reducing reliance on foreign tech infrastructure.
- Rural Revolution: Supporting BharatNet’s mission to wire 250,000 villages.
- Market Boom: Fierce competition (OneWeb, Amazon Kuiper, Jio-SES) will drive innovation.
As satellite and fiber networks converge, India is building a multi-layered “digital skyway” – connecting the unconnected and future-proofing its digital ambitions.