Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, is reportedly gearing up to launch in India within the next year, following the Department of Telecommunications’ issuance of a Letter of Intent — a key step toward official approval. Here’s what we know so far about Starlink’s upcoming entry into the Indian market:
Initially, Starlink plans to offer internet bandwidth ranging between 600Gbps and 700Gbps, catering to an estimated 30,000 to 50,000 users in select urban areas during its early phase. The company aims to scale this up significantly, targeting 3 Tbps bandwidth by 2027, which would enable service expansion to many more users nationwide, subject to regulatory approvals.
Pricing, while not finalized, is expected to be competitive. Reports suggest monthly plans could start at around $10 (approximately ₹850), with unlimited data included in early promotional offers designed to quickly attract subscribers. This is notably lower than Starlink’s US pricing, where residential plans cost around $80 (₹6,800) monthly, plus a hardware fee of about $349 (₹29,700).
However, operating satellite internet in India comes with some unique regulatory costs. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended additional charges, such as ₹500 per urban user per month, a 4% revenue share, an 8% licensing fee, and a minimum spectrum fee of ₹3,500 annually. These are pending government approval. Despite these charges, Starlink seems prepared to adopt aggressive pricing strategies to build scale and recoup its investment over time.
Starlink’s technology uses a constellation of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to deliver high-speed internet, particularly benefiting areas where traditional broadband is lacking or unreliable. If the pricing and rollout plans hold true, Starlink could revolutionize internet access in India, especially for remote and underserved regions, by providing affordable, reliable connectivity.
Long term, Starlink aspires to serve up to 10 million Indian users, potentially offsetting the high infrastructure and spectrum costs through sheer scale. This ambitious plan could make satellite internet a significant player in India’s digital ecosystem, bridging connectivity gaps in a way traditional infrastructure hasn’t been able to.
