Starlink, the satellite internet service from SpaceX, continues its aggressive global expansion and network enhancements, with recent developments focusing on new market entry, technological improvements, and regulatory compliance.
Indian Market Entry and Data Sovereignty
Starlink has recently secured all necessary clearances to offer commercial broadband services in India, making it the third satellite communications operator to do so. The Indian government has mandated that all network data and user traffic generated from Starlink's operations in India must be stored locally. This measure ensures that no Indian user traffic is routed through any gateway outside the country, a key security condition for its operations. Starlink's next steps in India will be to acquire spectrum from the government and establish the required ground infrastructure.
Network Performance and Capacity Upgrades
The company has reported significant improvements in its network performance. Starlink's median peak-hour latency in the U.S. has dropped to 25.7 milliseconds (ms), a figure that is now competitive with some terrestrial broadband providers. Globally, latency has been reduced by up to 25% and worst-case latencies by up to 35%.
To support its growing user base—which surpassed 6 million customers worldwide as of July 2025—Starlink is continuously launching new satellites. Over the past year, more than 2,300 satellites have been added to the constellation, and the company is deploying over 5 Tbps of capacity per week. These second-generation satellites have four times the capacity of the original versions. Looking ahead, Starlink is targeting a launch of its third-generation satellites in the first half of 2026, which are expected to offer an order of magnitude improvement in capacity.
Business Growth and New Services
Starlink's revenue has seen substantial growth, making it a major financial driver for its parent company, SpaceX. According to recent estimates, Starlink's revenue has surged, with a significant portion coming from residential subscriptions. The company is also expanding its business offerings, including "Starshield" for government and military clients, which has become a major revenue contributor. Other services include Starlink Roam for travelers and a new, compact "Starlink Mini" kit designed for portability.
Expanding Availability Worldwide
Starlink's footprint now extends to over 100 countries and territories across the globe. Recent launches have brought services to new regions in the Caribbean and Africa, with ongoing expansion into other areas. The company has also begun launching additional satellites into polar orbits to specifically improve service in high-latitude regions like Alaska.
