Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, Starlink, is preparing to roll out its services in India over the next couple of months. The development follows Starlink receiving the necessary operating license last week.
According to a report by news agency ANI, the company has locked its pricing structure tailored for the Indian market. The satellite dish—an essential hardware component required for connectivity—will be priced at approximately Rs 33,000. The service will come with an unlimited monthly data plan costing Rs 3,000.
As part of its launch strategy, Starlink is also reportedly planning to offer a one-month complimentary trial with the purchase of each device. This will enable customers to test the service before committing to regular subscriptions.
Starlink’s entry into India is expected to make a meaningful difference in the country’s rural connectivity landscape. The satellite internet service is expected to provide reliable, high-speed internet to India’s remote and underserved areas that have struggled with traditional broadband infrastructure.
The company’s low Earth orbit satellite constellation aims to deliver high-speed internet access to even those locations that were previously unreachable by conventional terrestrial networks.
Regional Pricing In Line With Neighbouring Markets
The cost of Starlink’s equipment in India is similar to that in other neighbouring countries. Both Bangladesh and Bhutan have similar devices priced at Rs 33,000, indicating a consistent regional strategy by the company.
Industry experts suggest that Starlink’s arrival could stir competition in India’s internet services market, especially the country’s telecommunications sector, by providing crucial connectivity solutions for rural areas, educational institutions, and businesses in remote locations.
The company’s launch comes as India continues to push for broader digital inclusion and infrastructure expansion, particularly in hard-to-reach zones, where the satellite-based internet like Starlink may fill critical gaps left by fiber and mobile networks.
Elon Musk-owned satellite internet company Starlink was given licence by the government to launch GMPCS (Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite) services, VSAT Services and ISP Category-A under unified license. This made Starlink the third company to receive the nod for GMPCS sevices from the Department of Telecom, after OneWeb and Reliance Jio.
