Synopsis - Elon Musk’s Starlink has secured regulatory approval to launch in India. The service is expected to cost Rs.3,000/month with a Rs.33,000 receiver kit. Promotional rates as low as Rs.850 may be offered. Starlink joins OneWeb and Jio in India’s satellite internet race, with Amazon's Kuiper still awaiting approval.
Key Highlights
- Starlink receives DoT approval and is expected to launch in India within 12 months.
- Expected pricing: Rs.3,000/month for unlimited data and Rs.33,000 for the receiver kit.
- Promotional plans may launch at under Rs.850/month to attract Indian users.
- Starlink joins OneWeb and Jio in India’s growing satellite internet race; Amazon’s Kuiper still pending.
What Makes Starlink Different from Jio and OneWeb?
Elon Musk's satellite internet company Starlink has received a license from India's Department of Telecommunications (DoT), paving the way for its launch in the country within the next 12 months. The service, which offers internet via low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, is designed to connect rural and remote regions where traditional broadband and mobile networks are limited or unavailable.
Starlink currently operates in over 100 countries, offering residential and roaming plans. In many regions, plans are categorized into two types: Residential Light (for light usage or small households) and Standard Residential (for larger families or heavier internet use).
In neighboring countries like Bhutan and Bangladesh, Residential Light plans cost around Rs.3,000 per month, while Standard Residential plans range from Rs.4,000 to Rs.4,600. In India, the expected pricing model follows a similar structure , i.e, around Rs.3,000/month for unlimited data and a one-time charge of Rs.33,000 for the receiver kit, which includes a satellite dish and Wi-Fi router.
Reports suggest that Starlink may launch with promotional unlimited data plans in India priced under $10 per month (around Rs.850) to attract a larger user base. However, the official pricing and availability will be confirmed once Starlink announces its India launch.
With this development, Starlink becomes the third company licensed to
offer satellite internet in India, following Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite
Communications, while Amazon's Project Kuiper is still awaiting regulatory
clearance.
Read More: Musk’s Starlink All Set to Launch in India: Will It Be Affordable, and Who Will Be Impacted?
