The Indian government is demanding that SpaceX install specialized monitoring equipment at its ground stations. This hardware is intended to track internet traffic and detect potential data speed throttling, granting authorities full oversight of the satellite network operations within the country.
SpaceX has already established 20 ground stations in India. While the company maintains that these facilities currently feature robust systems for data protection and monitoring, Indian officials have deemed these existing measures insufficient for national security standards.
Starlink has been attempting to enter the Indian market since 2021, following the establishment of a local subsidiary. Although the company secured a preliminary license in July 2025, it faced a significant setback in early 2026 when New Delhi rejected its application to deploy a second-generation satellite network.
The rejection of the second-generation network was attributed to security compliance issues and the company's intent to utilize frequency bands that are currently prohibited in India. With a population of approximately 1,48 billion, India represents a critical growth market for the service.
