Starlink Plans 9 Gateway Earth Stations Across India to Boost Satellite Internet Network

Elon Musk’s Starlink, the satellite internet venture under SpaceX, is reportedly planning to establish nine Gateway Earth Stations across India, marking a major step toward its long-awaited commercial rollout in the country. The proposed sites include Mumbai, Noida, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, and Lucknow, among others. This infrastructure will form the backbone of Starlink’s high-speed satellite broadband services, enabling seamless communication between space and ground networks.

What Are Gateway Earth Stations?

A Gateway Earth Station is a ground-based communication facility that serves as a vital link between satellites in orbit and internet networks on Earth. These stations transmit and receive data to and from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites like those operated by Starlink.

Simply put, when a user connects to Starlink’s internet through a small terminal dish, that signal doesn’t go directly to the wider internet. Instead, it first travels to one of these gateway stations, which then routes the data through terrestrial internet infrastructure (fiber or data centers). This makes the Gateway Earth Station the bridge between space and the web, ensuring low latency and high-speed connectivity.

How Gateway Stations Work

Each Gateway Earth Station is equipped with large parabolic antennas, transceivers, and high-frequency radio systems that communicate with Starlink’s constellation of satellites orbiting around 550 km above Earth.

• The user terminal sends data to a satellite overhead.

• The satellite relays that data to the nearest gateway station on the ground.

• From there, the data enters the public internet backbone for transmission across the globe.

When a user receives data, the process happens in reverse — the gateway receives internet traffic and beams it back to the satellite, which then sends it directly to the user terminal.

This system dramatically reduces reliance on traditional fiber infrastructure, making high-speed internet accessible even in remote or rural areas.

Starlink’s Expansion Plans in India

According to reports, Starlink has identified nine strategic locations across India for its gateway network, focusing on metro cities and regional hubs to ensure optimal coverage. The stations will not only connect millions of potential users but also help in meeting the government’s goal of “Digital India” by expanding connectivity to underserved regions.

Starlink had earlier faced regulatory hurdles in India, including delays in obtaining licenses from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). However, with the recent push to localize operations and meet Indian licensing norms, the company appears to be aligning its strategy to secure final approvals.

Why These Gateways Matter for India

The establishment of these gateway stations is critical for Starlink’s service quality. India’s vast geography and diverse terrain — from the Himalayas to coastal plains — make it challenging for fiber-based broadband to reach every home. By setting up multiple ground stations, Starlink ensures:

• Reduced latency by creating shorter data pathways.

• Better reliability, since more gateways mean multiple connection routes.

• Faster speeds and smoother streaming or communication experiences.

• Broader reach, even in villages, mountainous areas, and islands.

Experts believe that once operational, these stations could make India one of the largest Starlink markets outside the United States, potentially connecting millions who currently lack reliable internet access.

Satellite Internet in India

If the rollout proceeds as planned, Starlink could revolutionize India’s rural broadband ecosystem, bridging the connectivity gap that traditional telecom providers have struggled to close. Combined with India’s push toward space technology and digital empowerment, the nine Gateway Earth Stations mark not just a technical milestone but a symbol of the country’s transition into a new age of global internet connectivity.