Company Builds Bengaluru Hub, Advances Regulatory Trials
SpaceX's satellite internet division, Starlink, has initiated a significant recruitment drive in India, signaling a concrete move towards its anticipated commercial launch. The company is actively seeking professionals for several key finance and accounting positions, establishing its primary operational hub in Bengaluru. This foundational hiring phase is a clear indicator of Starlink's efforts to build a robust corporate structure ahead of its entry into the competitive Indian broadband market.
The initial job postings, which have appeared on professional networking sites and the company's career page, focus on critical financial functions. Starlink is recruiting for roles such as payments manager, accounting manager, senior treasury analyst, and tax manager. According to the company, these positions are essential for "building and scaling accounting, reporting, and statutory compliance functions" tailored for its Indian operations. Starlink has specified that all roles are based in its Bengaluru office, with no remote or hybrid work options available, and that only local candidates with valid work authorization will be considered.
This internal team-building is running parallel to significant progress in infrastructure and regulatory compliance. Starlink is reportedly demonstrating its satellite broadband capabilities to Indian law enforcement agencies in Mumbai. This demonstration is a mandatory step, allowing authorities to test the service's lawful interception and security mechanisms before the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) grants spectrum allocation.
In terms of physical infrastructure, SpaceX has already established three ground stations in Mumbai, which will form the central hub for its Indian services. Furthermore, the company is seeking official permission to create three primary gateway stations located in Mumbai, Chennai, and Noida. Sources indicate this is just the first phase, with plans to expand to nine or ten gateways post-launch, potentially including locations like Chandigarh, Kolkata, and Lucknow.
With these preparations, Starlink is positioning itself for a commercial rollout projected for late 2025 or early 2026. Upon launch, it will enter a burgeoning market, competing directly with other major players like Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite. Both competitors have already secured regulatory clearances and are, like Starlink, awaiting the finalization of spectrum allocation policies.
