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Hans India
7 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Starlink Gets Green Light in India: Elon Musk's Satellite Internet Set to Launch Soon
Elon Musk's ambitious satellite internet venture, Starlink, is officially making its way to India, with the country's telecom ministry recently granting the company a key operating licence. The move is expected to transform internet access in India's far-flung and underserved areas, especially in rural regions where traditional connectivity options remain limited. The approval comes after years of anticipation and regulatory back-and-forth. Initially proposed in 2021, the project had faced delays over spectrum distribution and compliance requirements. Now, with the Unified Licence granted by the Department of Telecommunications, Starlink is poised to begin services, pending final spectrum allocation. "Frameworks for spectrum allocation and gateway establishment are ready, ensuring smooth rollout,' Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia confirmed, as reported by PTI. Starlink's entry does not intend to directly compete with existing telecom players like Jio, Airtel, and BSNL in urban markets. Instead, the service will serve as a complementary solution, particularly in areas where terrestrial networks fall short. Minister of State for Telecom, Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, also confirmed the approval and highlighted the potential of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to bolster India's digital infrastructure. To make the rollout practical, Starlink has reportedly partnered with Indian telecom giants such as Airtel and Jio for infrastructure sharing. This collaboration is expected to assist in distributing Starlink's hardware kits across the country. These kits, which include a satellite dish, Wi-Fi router, and mounting gear, are priced at approximately Rs 33,000. Once installed, users can expect to pay around Rs 3,000 per month for unlimited data. However, in a bid to attract early adopters, promotional plans may start at Rs 850 per month. The expected internet speeds will range between 25 Mbps and 220 Mbps, with an initial cap of two million users across India. Starlink's rollout adds momentum to an increasingly competitive space for satellite broadband in India. Other players such as Eutelsat OneWeb, backed by Bharti, and Jio's joint venture with SES of Luxembourg have also received approvals but await spectrum assignments before starting commercial operations. India's need for robust internet solutions is well-documented. As per the IAMAI-Kantar ICUBE Report 2023, more than 65% of the rural population still lacks reliable internet access. Satellite broadband is widely regarded as a game-changer in bridging this digital divide, especially in remote terrains and mountainous regions. Looking ahead, Starlink is also preparing to launch its next-generation satellites by 2026. These are expected to deliver over 1,000 Gbps capacity per satellite, significantly enhancing performance and potentially pushing internet speeds to ten times the current rates. This evolution could further strengthen the value proposition of Starlink in areas that remain beyond the reach of fiber and mobile broadband. With regulatory approvals now largely in place, all eyes are on spectrum allocation, the final piece of the puzzle. Once that's resolved, Starlink could begin reshaping India's internet landscape—just as Tesla redefined the electric vehicle industry.
Time of India
01-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Elon Musk's Starlink approved in India: Monthly cost, entry kit price, and where it will work first—full details inside
India has granted Elon Musk's Starlink official approval to begin satellite-based internet services. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a Unified Licence to the company, allowing it to operate under the current spectrum regulations. The announcement comes as India marks 30 years since its first cellular call was made on July 31, 1995. Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia confirmed the approval and said that both the spectrum allocation framework and gateway setup are ready to support a smooth rollout of Starlink's services in the country. Delayed approval due to regulatory hurdles Starlink's application was initially submitted in 2021 but faced delays due to regulatory checks and discussions over satellite spectrum distribution. While the licence has now been granted, Starlink cannot start commercial services until the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) finalises the spectrum allocation framework. A consultation paper by TRAI on satellite spectrum is currently under review, and Starlink must wait for its outcome before it can proceed. Union Communications Minister @JM_Scindia addresses Mobile Conclave on the occasion of 30 years of mobile telephony in New Scindia highlights that India's digital journey in the last 11 years has been also says #ElonMusk-led Starlink has received a… Pricing and plans: One-time and monthly charges According to reports, SpaceX plans to charge a one-time hardware cost of around Rs 33,000, which will cover the Starlink kit including the satellite dish, router, and mounting gear. Monthly subscriptions are expected to be priced at approximately Rs 3,000 for unlimited data. There are indications of a promotional plan at around Rs 850/month, but this is yet to be officially confirmed. Internet speeds are likely to range between 25 Mbps and 220 Mbps, catering to users in areas with poor or no internet access. To begin with, Starlink will be available to a maximum of 2 million users across India, targeting primarily rural and remote regions. India's satellite Internet race heats up Starlink's entry puts it in competition with other global and domestic players. Eutelsat OneWeb, backed by Bharti Group, and Jio's joint venture with SES from Luxembourg, have also received regulatory approvals. However, like Starlink, they are waiting for spectrum allocation before starting commercial operations. "We will do our best to serve the people of India with Starlink."一 Elon Musk As per the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), satellite-based internet is likely to play a major role in expanding coverage in areas where fibre-based infrastructure is not practical. The IAMAI-Kantar ICUBE Report 2023 highlights that over 65% of India's rural population still lacks reliable internet access, underlining the demand for satellite-driven solutions. India's digital push and Starlink's role Minister Scindia used the announcement to highlight India's digital transformation over the past decade. He credited the progress made in digital infrastructure to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that the last 11 years have been 'nothing short of extraordinary.' With the Unified Licence in place, Starlink now waits for the final nod on spectrum. Once approved, its low-earth orbit satellites will begin delivering internet to underserved locations, marking a significant step in India's push toward inclusive digital access. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending.
India Today
01-08-2025
- Business
- India Today
Elon Musk's Starlink to operate soon in India. Check monthly plans
India has officially granted Elon Musk's Starlink a licence to provide satellite-based internet services in the country, opening new doors for rural and remote connectivity, reported news agency announcement comes as India marks 30 years since its first cellular phone call was made on July 31, Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia confirmed that Starlink has been awarded a Unified Licence to launch its satellite internet operations in India on Scindia added, 'Frameworks for spectrum allocation and gateway establishment are ready, ensuring smooth rollout,' quoted Department of Telecommunications (DoT) approved Starlink's application earlier in July, following a process that began in CHECKS DELAY APPROVALThe application faced delays due to regulatory checks and issues around spectrum licence marks a crucial step for SpaceX, Musk's aerospace company, which operates Starlink, as it prepares to enter one of the world's fastest-growing internet spectrum policy requires a separate allocation process after the licence is Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has been working on a framework for satellite spectrum use, and Starlink's services will remain on hold until this is finalised as per TRAI consultation paper on satellite COST BREAKDOWNReports suggest, SpaceX will charge users around Rs 33,000 one-time for the Starlink hardware kit, which includes the satellite dish, router, and mounting equipment. It will offer unlimited data at a monthly price of approximately Rs 3,000 as per a report from will begin with a cap of 2 million users across India and is aimed primarily at underserved and remote speeds are expected to range between 25 Mbps and 220 Mbps, with a possible promotional entry-level plan priced at around Rs 850 per month, though the final price is still SPACE INTERNET MARKETStarlink enters a competitive space with other global OneWeb, supported by the Bharti Group, and Jio's joint venture with Luxembourg-based SES have already received approval to operate. Still, they are similarly waiting for spectrum allocation before commencing commercial to the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), satellite-based broadband is expected to play a vital role in expanding digital access in remote and hilly regions where fibre rollout is slow or over 65% of India's rural population still lacking reliable internet, according to the IAMAI-Kantar ICUBE Report 2023, satellite services like Starlink's could help close the digital also used the occasion to reflect on India's wider digital journey. He highlighted the progress made over the past 11 years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, calling it 'nothing short of extraordinary.'With the licensing now in place, the spotlight shifts to the pending spectrum completed, Starlink's low-earth orbit satellites are expected to provide high-speed internet even in areas where conventional connectivity has yet to reach.- EndsTune InMust Watch
