Starlink Satellite Communications Pvt. Ltd, a satellite communications company owned by Elon Musk, has taken a significant step in its India rollout by renting office space in Mumbai’s Chandivali suburb, marking its growing presence in India.
According to the exclusive report by ET, the company.has leased 1,294 square feet on the ground floor of the commercial complex Boomerang for more than Rs 3.52 lakh, under a five-year lease that started on October 14.
As per the document obtained through the real estate data platform Propstack, the agreement includes a 5 percent annual rent escalation clause and a Rs 31.70 lakh security deposit, according to the ET report.
As part of the commercial launch of its satellite communication services in the country, the company is ready to set up nine gateway earth stations, including its first launch in Mumbai.
Starlink has requested 600 gigabits per second of capacity across India via its Gen 1 satellite constellation, aiming to set the stage for a commercial launch. An official familiar with the matter stated that this entire spectrum is provisionally assigned to the company for security reasons.
Beginning the expansion with Mumbai is certainly wise, as it will act as a crucial hub for the company’s operations in India, according to some leading industry experts.
Recently, the Telecommunications Department approved Starlink to import 100 terminals for testing its fixed-satellite service.
Authorities have stated that only Indian nationals operate the gateway stations due to security concerns. Starlink intends to be involved in the project until it receives complete clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs for any foreign technical experts.
Using a network of low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellites, Starlink, a subsidiary of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, aims to provide high-speed broadband connectivity worldwide. In India, it focuses on remote and underserved regions, where access to reliable terrestrial internet remains quite constrained.
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With the expansion and widespread rollout of 4G and 5G networks, India has emerged as one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing internet markets, flooded with smartphones and low data costs. This development has transformed the lives of 850 million users and reached all regions, including rural, urban, and semi-urban areas.
