India is set to welcome Elon Musk’s Starlink as its third licensed satellite internet provider after Bharti-backed OneWeb and Reliance Jio. On Thursday, Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia confirmed that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will soon grant Starlink the necessary satcom license, paving the way for its official launch in the country.
Starlink to Bloom Like a New Flower in India’s Telecom Garden
Minister Scindia described Starlink as a “new flower in the bouquet of Indian telecom”, emphasizing the potential of satellite internet to revolutionize connectivity in India. “We started with fixed-line, evolved to mobile and broadband, and now we must include satellite connectivity, especially for rural and inaccessible areas,” he said.
Strategic Partnerships With Airtel and Jio Will Aid Nationwide Rollout
In a strategic move, Starlink has partnered with Airtel and Reliance Jio to use their existing distribution and dealership networks for expanding its reach. These alliances are expected to accelerate Starlink’s rural and Tier-3 market penetration. The collaboration was followed by high-level talks between Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and a Starlink delegation in April 2025 regarding investment and expansion plans in India.
Focus on Rural Connectivity and Remote Areas
Starlink’s satellite internet service is uniquely positioned to provide high-speed connectivity to remote villages, hilly regions, and border areas where fiber optic cables or telecom towers are difficult to deploy. The service can offer consistent internet without dependence on terrestrial infrastructure.
Expected Pricing and Rollout Timeline in India
Globally, Starlink charges $90 to $120/month for speeds between 100 Mbps and 200 Mbps, with a one-time hardware cost of about $599. In India, sources suggest Starlink might adjust pricing to local affordability levels — likely ranging from ₹2,000 to ₹3,000/month with a one-time dish and router cost around ₹45,000–₹50,000. Entry-level plans for schools or remote healthcare may also be subsidized under government collaborations.
The full rollout is expected to begin in late 2025 or early 2026, following spectrum allocation and pilot deployments in underserved zones.
