Key Highlights
- Starlink received DoT licence to operate in India by late 2025, unlocking rural broadband access.
- Hardware kit priced ~₹33,000; unlimited data plan expected at ₹3,000/month with free trial on launch.
Starlink, Elon Musk's satellite internet service, has officially secured operating rights in India, according to union minister for communications Jyotiraditya Scindia on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). This approval essentially means that Starlink can now offer its services in India's competitive telecom market.
The confirmation comes after a "productive meeting" between Scindia and SpaceX's president and COO, Gwynne Shotwell. Scindia describes their discussions on X as "delved into opportunities for collaboration in satellite communications to power Digital India's soaring ambitions and empower every citizen across the country."
Shotwell reportedly praised the license, calling it "a great start to the journey."
This regulatory milestone comes just days after Starlink was granted a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) permit by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). Starlink is now the third company to receive such a permit, following Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications in the race to provide commercial satellite internet services across India. Amazon's Project Kuiper is also set to enter the market, pending regulatory approvals.
Also Read: Ahead of Elon Musk's India visit, the Finance Ministry announces New FDI Limitations for Satellites
Starlink's collaboration with Jio and Airtel
Telecom behemoths Airtel and Jio have already announced partnerships with Starlink. These collaborations are critical because Jio and Airtel collectively control more than 70% of the Indian telecommunications market, providing extensive retail networks for Starlink's equipment distribution as well as customer service, installation, and activation support, especially in remote and underserved areas.
Starlink prices in India
While there is no official information on the price of the services, it was reported last month that Starlink may introduce unlimited data plans in India for less than $10 (approximately Rs 840) per month at promotional rates.
It also quoted industry experts as saying that, despite significant spectrum and licensing costs, satellite internet providers are likely to use a low entry price to rapidly expand their user base, with the goal of reaching 10 million subscribers in the medium to long term.
However, widespread adoption of Starlink in India may encounter challenges, particularly in terms of hardware costs. Starlink's hardware kits are priced globally between $250 (approx. Rs 21,300) and $380 (approx. Rs 32,400). This represents a significant upfront investment when compared to existing Indian home broadband offerings, which typically have much lower hardware costs, offer speeds of up to 1 Gbps, and frequently include Over-The-Top (OTT) app subscriptions.
