Starlink Begins Hiring in India, Sets Bengaluru as Hub Ahead of 2026 Broadband Launch

Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, Starlink, opens finance and compliance roles in Bengaluru as it seeks DoT approvals, gateway stations, and prepares to challenge Jio Satellite and OneWeb in India’s fast-emerging satellite broadband market.  

Key highlights

• Hiring drive: Payments manager, accounting manager, senior treasury analyst, and tax manager.
• Location: Bengaluru as the operational hub in India.
• Launch timeline: Commercial satellite broadband rollout targeted for early 2026, subject to approvals.

Regulatory and infrastructure plans

• Licensing: Working with India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on approvals and security requirements.
• Gateway stations: Permissions sought for three ground stations in Mumbai, Chennai, and Noida.
• Competition: Facing Jio Satellite (Reliance Jio) and OneWeb (Bharti-backed) in the Indian market.

Strategic importance

• Market potential: LEO satellites to deliver low-latency, high-speed connectivity to underserved rural regions.
• Global expansion: India positioned as a critical growth market.
• Investor signal: Shift from regulatory negotiations to on-ground operational buildout.

Who’s behind it

• Parent company: SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk.
• Global footprint: Starlink operates across numerous countries with a rapidly growing subscriber base.

Takeaway

Starlink’s India hiring marks a strategic milestone—building a local finance and compliance backbone in Bengaluru, pursuing gateway approvals, and aiming for a 2026 launch to compete with Jio and OneWeb in satellite broadband.