 "Starlink leases office space in Mumbai as India satellite rollout nears")
Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture Starlink has taken a major step toward expanding its footprint in India by leasing office space in Mumbai’s Chandivali area, according to a report by The Economic Times. The move signals the company’s renewed focus on setting up operations in the country, where it aims to launch commercial services soon.
According to property documents accessed through Propstack, Starlink Satellite Communications has rented space on the ground floor of the commercial building Boomerang in Chandivali. The lease, signed for five years starting October 14, covers 1,294 sq ft at a monthly rent of over ₹3.52 lakh, with an annual rent escalation of 5 per cent. The company has also paid a security deposit of ₹31.7 lakh, the news report said.
Though modest in size, this marks Starlink’s first reported office in Mumbai, a move that aligns with its broader plan to build a local presence as part of its India entry strategy.
The news report quoted industry experts as saying that Mumbai could serve as a central hub for Starlink’s India operations.
Last week, The Economic Times had reported that Starlink is working to set up nine gateway earth stations across India, including one in Mumbai. These stations will form part of the infrastructure needed to deliver satellite-based internet across the country.
Security clearance and testing phase
Starlink has received temporary approval from the government to use certain radio frequencies for system testing and to meet security conditions. The company has also been permitted to import 100 satellite terminals for trial purposes, but these cannot be used for any commercial services yet.
Since satellite communication involves sensitive national security aspects, the government has imposed strict rules on how such tests are conducted. Starlink must follow several key conditions:
• Only Indian nationals are allowed to operate the company’s ground stations until foreign staff receive official security clearance.
• All test data must remain within India and cannot be transferred abroad.
• Complete details of all testing equipment must be regularly shared with government authorities.
Starlink is now the third satellite internet provider, after OneWeb and Jio Satellite, to receive permission for security trials. However, none of these companies can begin full-scale operations until India’s security agencies give their final approval.
Focus on connecting remote areas
Starlink, part of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, provides high-speed broadband through a network of low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellites. The company’s goal in India is to deliver internet connectivity to remote and underserved regions where traditional broadband services are still limited.
With over 850 million internet users, India is one of the fastest-growing online markets globally. The rise of affordable smartphones, low-cost data plans and expanding 4G and 5G networks has transformed digital access across the country.