Starlink launch in India: What it means for internet access and free services as Musk takes on Jio, Airtel

India Today

13 hours ago

The Indian government has recently approved Elon Musk's proposal to bring Starlink services to India. While the company may take some time to activate services in the country, it is surely a turning point for the internet in India. Why? Starlink, already available in 100 countries, is a satellite broadband initiative from SpaceX, and is on a mission to revolutionise internet connectivity by beaming high-speed access from space. Now that it is coming to India, the internet will reach every nook and corner of the country.advertisementWith a nod from the ministry, Starlink has joined an exclusive group of just three firms, alongside OneWeb and Reliance Jio, to secure a crucial step towards offering satellite-based telecom services in India. The company has already been issued a Letter of Intent (LoI) by the Department of Telecommunications, which serves as an initial go-ahead from the authorities.However, before it can begin rolling out its satellite internet infrastructure across the country, Starlink must now obtain a crucial clearance from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (In-SPACe). This approval from the national space regulator is essential before the company can commence trial operations and be allotted provisional spectrum. So, now the question is: When will Starlink launch in India?Starlink launch in India?
While the exact date of the roll out is not official yet, we have enough information to assume. Before we deduce that, let's circle in what we know so far. Starlink has been awaiting regulatory approval to begin commercial operations in India since 2022. However, the process has been held up by various factors — including concerns related to national security, according to a report by Reuters.advertisementOn May 7, it took a major step towards launching its services in India after receiving a Letter of Intent from the Department of Telecommunications. Now, with a vital regulatory licence secured, Elon Musk's satellite internet venture is poised to kick off operations on Indian soil.Starlink has made no secret of its eagerness to begin. While a fourth contender, Amazon's Kuiper, is still awaiting the necessary approvals to launch its satellite internet services in India, the reports indicate that once Starlink submits its application for trial spectrum, it is likely to be granted within 15 to 20 days.Earlier this year, the company quietly entered into unexpected partnerships with two of India's largest telecom players, Reliance Jio, led by Mukesh Ambani, and Bharti Airtel, to support its local rollout.Starlink India pricingAccording to a media report published last month, Starlink is expected to roll out plans starting at just $10 a month, which translates to roughly Rs 850, positioning it among the most budget-friendly satellite internet offerings worldwide. This pricing strategy aligns well with the Indian market, where affordability and high performance are often key to consumer uptake.These competitively priced packages, which may even offer unlimited data, are likely to accelerate Starlink's growth across the country. The company is reportedly aiming to attract as many as 10 million users as it establishes its presence in India.How does Starlink work?advertisementStarlink aims to provide high-speed internet, even in places where there is no network. But how does it do it? Instead of relying on traditional ground-based infrastructure such as fibre or cable, Starlink uses a vast constellation of low Earth orbit satellites to deliver fast and stable internet, particularly to regions where conventional services are patchy, slow or entirely unavailable.By transmitting data directly between satellites and ground stations, it effectively sidesteps many of the limitations that plague traditional broadband networks, offering a lifeline to rural and remote communities across the globe.